Looking Forward

New Reading Materials

2012-02-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

I just finished two books that really spoke to my heart. The first is a new work by Reggie McNeal. Many of you will recognize Reggie as a prolific author of incredible value. His leadership, church change, and missional work is remarkable.

This one is called Missional Communities: The Rise of The Post-Congregational Church. It outlines the primary missional conversation and then provides real life models of missional community in action. The two that spoke to me were the Future Travelers and the chapter on Mission Houston with Jim Herrington. Incredible. See Will Mancini's post about Future Travelers and the work of Alan Hirsch. http://www.willmancini.com/2010/02/movement-making-with-alan-hirsch.html

The other book is actually a wonderful resource for the 40 days of Lent by Chris Seay. I had a chance to touch base with Chris at Ecclesia last weekend. I can tell you, his teaching, writing, and vision process is really remarkable. Like the Advent Conspiracy, this work helps us understand and walk with the poor of the world. A Place At The Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor is a wonderful tool for engaging your personal faith with the daily experience of the poor around the world.

The heart of the missional movement beats with several different rhythms. Sometimes it feels like the conversation needs a pacemaker to keep it in alinement. But, in a strange way, the beauty of the movement is the variety that it produces. Some simply denounce the attractional or church growth model while offering little to take up the slack. Others focus on a radical lifestyle that becomes neo-monastic and harsh. Still others try to look at leadership traits and discover the DNA of a congregation.

In the end, it is about doing church differently. It is a movement away from building good church folks who understand, support, and participate in the structured organization. It invites us to identify, adopt, and live fully into a Kingdom mentality. In this process we discover new ways of loving God and serving our neighbor. We discover that the church is really bigger than a set of doctrines and a stable of rules. It is about worship that shouts 'I am not ashamed of the Gospel' and then moves into the streets to smell the reality of life. It is the mission of God that becomes the ministry of the people.

These are books that will offer a head-lamp unto your feet.

BTW: if you have not seen 58:The Film (http://live58.org/thefilm/) now is the time.

Back from the Houston Ministry Adventure

2012-01-31T09:45:00.001-07:00

We made it! 15 brave souls from around the world converged in the third largest city in the United States to explore mission and ministry. We came to serve, share, learn, and to expand our vision of how God loves to work in the world. The group represented ministry leaders from the United States, South Korea serving in Dallas, South Korea serving in Nepal, Japan, Estonia, Mauritius, Singapore, Liberia, Romania, Columbia, and Zambia! What a blessing it was to share time with the cultures of the world!

Each year our adventure includes many of the same ministries with some new experiences peppered in to keep everyone moving forward. This year, we experiences a joyful surprise by visiting the Lanier Theological Library for the first time. What a gift to the world! Check it out at www.laniertheologicallibrary.org. It is a hidden gem!

On the other end of the spectrum (on the same day) we shifted from the quiet and ancient beauty of the Lanier to enter a much more difficult setting. We moved from a place of study and reflection to the chaos and confusion of the streets. We worshiped in the dark under a large tree with the folks from Houston Street Reach and Youth With a Mission. For years they have been faithfully building relationships with children and adults who live in the darkness of the inner city streets. Some members shared water and snacks with folks who were sleeping under the freeway while others worked with youth who are locked into prostitution, drugs, and destruction. Others sought to build relationships with people from the transvestite community that lives in secret and struggle. I can promise you this, there was no shortage of people to encounter! Midnight came all too soon. Check out www.joewilliamsministries.org and www.ywamhouston.org.

Personally, after seven years of leading this ministry immersion, the key turning point events always seem to be the same. I am always challenged by the missional life style of Jim and Betty Herrington (www.harborchurch.com or www.faithwalking.com). I am energized by the positive and chotic climate of Mercy Street recovery community. (www.mercystreet.org) And I am always blessed by the calm, clear, biblical approach of Chris Seay and the people of Ecclesia (www.ecclesiahouston.org). This year, the people of Ecclesia are literally lining up to sign up to get a series of body art tattoos that will create a stations of the cross exhibit for Lent! And check out Chris Seay's new book called A Place At The Table if you want to expereince a 40 day Lenten journey with the poor. I am challenged and changed because I sit with these people.

Pastor Rudy Rasmus always has a word that encourages, shocks, and transforms my soul. Rudy and Juanita have demonstrated a long and faithful walk with the Lord in a very difficult situation. Drop on at www.stjohnsdowntown.org to get a quick look at the extensive ministry they have created. But you really need to open the door on the corner of Gray and Crawford to experience the real blessing. Take time to do it, you will be blessed!

Oh, one more thing (maybe two!) that brings blessing to my soul. Have you ever worshiped in five separate settings, under five different leaders, in five unique worship styles, in less than 24 hours? What a blessing! And...we were served the Lord's Supper in three of the five settings! Contemplative and quiet, loud and choreographed, raw and energetic, soft and reflective, along with an AA meeting on steroids with a preacher and a band. That is the heart of the Houston journey that will refresh your soul, add question marks galore, and lift your spirits to soar at new heights. It is good to worship the Lord!

My thanks to our church planting friends, the folks who feed us, the people who lead us in worship, the pastors who teach and inspire, along with the journey of living life together in a van. Peace to you all. We may never meet again, but there will be another group, and you will be inspired to create your own experience in the city of your choice. Start planning it today! Peace!

Houston Experience

2012-01-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

For those who will be taking part in the 2012 edition of the great Houston ministry immersion...Welcome aboard!

Our journey will start with Faithbridge UMC and a conversation about church planting. From there we will experience Pastor Jonathan Williams and the Wilcrest Church. It is an incredible ministry that is thoroughly multi-cultural. Then it is off to The Woodlands UMC where we will see a large complex congregation in action under the leadership of Dr. Ed Robb.

The Lanier Theological Library will provide insights into private resources for in depth study. Next we will literally hit the street with Joe Williams and Houston Street Reach. We will worship at the street church and then spend the evening (and early morning) in ministry to folks on the streets of the Montrose.

Saturday finds us at the Power Center and the ministry of Windsor Village UMC with Pastor Kirby Jon Caldwell. Amazing! But if you think that is good, wait until you get to the Kingdom Builders Center and the Corinthian Point housing development. It will open your mind to entrepreneurial ministry and leadership.

Dr. Jerry Webber will help us understand the contemplative traditions of spiritual formation at Chapelwood Church. From there we will be ready for Mercy Street. A worship setting for folks who are in recovery. Mercy! What a blessing it will be to share a late evening sandwich with the Mercy Street team.

Then Sunday rolls around! Lakewood Church and pastor Joel Osteen is first on the agenda. The largest church in the USA. The music will blow you away. From there we will find an incredible contrast with Pastor Rudy Rasmus and St John's Downtown where we will worship with homeless folks in an inner city setting. St John's is a unique ministry that literally reaches around the world!

Dr. Jim Jackson will provide teaching about his new discipleship model and the fine art of raising funds for mission and ministry. That kicks us into the evening with yet another worship service. This time it is with a young adult ministry called Ecclesia under the preaching of Pastor Chris Seay. Ecclesia is changing the world! No fooling!

Now for a real blessing, we will have breakfast with Dr. Jim Herrington and hear his family story of inner city missional ministry. Every time I hear the story I am encouraged and challenged. This one will be a real blessing.

We close out the journey with a one-on-one conversation with Chris Seay. Don't miss the New Testament translation called The Voice!

North American pastors and church leaders and international Christian leaders alike will be blessed. We will be 17 strong so there will be plenty of time to interact. Buckle your seat belt, catch an early nap, and get ready to roll!

See you there!

Luke 2:1-20

2011-12-25T07:54:00.002-07:00

Combined Worship at 10:00

Isaiah 62:6-12 Psalm 97 Titus 3:4-7 Luke 2:1-20

O Come, O Come Emmanuel and rescue captive Israel! That is the opening refrain of a famous Advent hymn. But today is a day when we shift fully from the spirit of Advent to the hope that is ours in Christmas. It is the celebration of the Christ Child! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

If you are able to be with us for worship (I hope you are!) on Christmas morning…we will read the Gospel of Luke chapter two. We will read it, allow it to speak for itself, and cherish every word of the great story.

We have arrived! Our The Road to the Manger took us past the Red Sea, on to the Sea of Galilee, in and out of Jerusalem, and finally we arrive in the City of David known as Bethlehem. Did you know that the word Bethlehem literally means ‘house of bread?’ I think of that often as we watch Jesus break bread and say, ‘this is my body’ for the literal body of Christ was born in the city of bread.

I hope you will accept one last challenge as we come to the end of our 29 day journey. I would invite you to come together with family, friends, coworkers, fellow students, and share the Gospel of Luke with one another. Read it out loud, share a simple meal with one another, and pray a word of thanksgiving because it is true, a little child shall lead us.

Amen, God bless you all! Merry Christmas!

Be sure to stay tuned as we roll into January and beyond with the Grand Sweep!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

2011-12-24T09:09:00.002-07:00

Candlelight Worship at 5:00, 7:00, 9:00, 11:00

Psalm 96 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 James 1:17-18

Tonight is the night! We have been waiting and watching. Finally it is here. It is the night of all nights, the night of anticipation, the holy eve that draws us to the edge of the manger. The child is born. And it all happened at just the right time. The kairos time of eternity.

Centuries earlier an unknown poet wrote words that continue to resound through the ages. It is the poem of truth, a word of beauty, a rhyme that has been treasured and memorized by thousands upon thousands.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

Need I say more? I offer just a simple invitation. Read the Word, hear your story within his story, and know this: You, child of God, are dearly loved. In the same way that this is his time…it is also your time.

Psalm 96

2011-12-23T07:26:00.000-07:00

You are correct!

If you are following the sequence, you know that yesterday and today are inverted.

It turns out that I really have a difficult time telling when the real Friday arrives.

Sorry! In the end, today is Christmas Eve Eve! Jesus is coming!

Psalm 96 Zephaniah 3:8-13 Romans 10:5-13

Christmas is a time for singing. We shared the carols of the season on Sunday morning and we will sing more on Saturday night. Oh how we love the carols of Christmas! They remind us of Christmas past. They help us restate our faith. And they assist us in recreating the story of the manger.

Our Advent The Road to the Manger has been all about a symbolic journey. It is our desire to recreate, relive, and be renewed by the holy family and all the sacred elements of the manger scene. The songs help us accomplish that desire.

But here’s is the problem….we always sing the same songs. It really is not a big problem, but the words of Psalm 96 invite us to ‘sing a new song’ that will help us rejoice in the glory of God. It recommends a fresh melody that will honor all of creation, lift the name of the Lord God Almighty, and cause the heavens to rejoice. Can you sing a song like that? Yes, I think you can! In fact, I think we will!

I am sure of it because we are going to sing a new song that declares an old word. It is the word “Glory!”

“Glory to god in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Do you recognize that new song? It is the song of the heavenly host, the angels who arrived to praise the Lord in Bethlehem.

Do you think we could sing a new song this season? Whatever words you choose, be sure you sing it with a smile.

Romans 13:11-14

2011-12-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Psalm 96 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Romans 13:11-14

It is a snowy day in Colorado Springs. But the Wilson community of faith sends warm greetings and blessings to all our friends across the country and around the world.

Merry Christmas to all!

We have talked before about the difference between kairos time and chronos time. Chronos is the time you see on the face of a clock. It is connected to Chronos from Greek mythology. Chronos is sometimes identified as Father Time. It represents time that is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, and days.

On the other hand, kairos time is not sequential. It is a surprise. It is a moment when something special happens. In Christian theology it is the time when God’s unique propose finds fulfillment.

In the Book of Romans, chapter 13 we find a reference to kairos time. It is the time when God, through Jesus Christ, will bring salvation near. It is described in chronos time with reference to day and night and the hour that has already come. Have you found that it is easier to understand chronos better than kairos?

Do you hear the Advent themes in this passage? Arise, wake up, prepare, be ready, watch, for the day of the Lord is near.

How true it is! The day is indeed near. In fact, it is at hand as we speak. It is the day when God will expect us to be ready. We are called to be ready to receive, ready to serve, ready to grow, and ready to know the power of a great and loving God.

So, here is the plan: Watch carefully, wait faithfully, prepare diligently for the Kingdom of God is at hand. Amen.

Mark 11:1-11

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Wednesday meal at 5:30 The Road To The Manger Bible Study 6:15

Luke 1:46b-55 I Samuel 2:1-10 Mark 11:1-11

Anytime you head out on a journey you are sure to see some signs along the way. Stop here, turn here, go slower, hurry up, merge right, lane closed, and sometimes there will even be a detour.

Jesus was traveling the road to Jerusalem. He came to the Mount of Olives on the edge of the city. He looked to his disciples and asked them to look for a sign. It was not a road sign or a directional indication. It was the sign of a young colt that had never been ridden.

The colt was a sign because signs give us information about the world around us. They tell us what to do and how to respond. This colt was a sign to everyone who saw it. It was a sign of humility. It was a symbol of sacrifice. It would become the transportation of the King of Kings, but a different kind of king.

He was a king who did not consider the power of his position to be the key ingredient to his identity. He did not need the big corner office with a window and a fancy chair. He did not need a stallion or a steed. He would be just fine with a colt because many people of his kingdom did not even have that much.

The people around him recognized his humility. They created a procession and began to honor his name. They began to elevate him by reciting the Psalms. And the crowd became a sign to the rest of the world as they placed branches under the feet of the colt to create a sacred path to the holy city of Jerusalem.

Think with me for a moment. What sign does Jesus represent in your life? And what sign do you offer as an indication of your dedication? Christmas is coming; we are watching and waiting for the Christ child to be born. We know that our actions are a symbolic gesture. But we also know that every sign has value. Our task is to watch, wait, and to know the power of God in this moment.

Lord Jesus, bring us a sign…show us the way…let us honor you. Amen.

Don't forget to bring a friend to Christmas Eve Worship. 5-7-9-11 at Wilson! Be sure to worship where you are!

I Samuel 1:19-28

2011-12-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

Luke 1:46b-55 I Samuel 1:19-28 Hebrews 8:1-13

Hannah and Elkanah longed to have a child. Hannah prayed and they were blessed with a son. They named him Samuel. Both Hannah and Elkanah recognized that the birth of Samuel was a great blessing. In fact, they saw him as a gift from God. In response, the joyful parents somehow knew that they had to rejoice and give thanks to God because the gift had been so great.

So they did something very unusual. They dedicated their son to the service of the Lord and brought him to the priest Eli so he could be raised in the temple. Tomorrow you will read Hannah’s prayer in chapter two to get a feel for the exuberance she had for this life changing decision.

It would be like bringing your first born to the church to be raised by the leadership of the congregation as a gift to the Lord. It would be unusual today but it was productive for Samuel and for his parents. Samuel grew, learned his priestly trade, and became a great spiritual leader among the people of Israel. He would later be used by God to select the next two kings of Israel and to be a prophet in the land.

I wonder what gift you could bring to the Lord during this season of celebration. Do you have something (likely not your child!) that is so precious to you that your sacrifice would be remarkable to the people of God? Is there something you could give? I am not thinking of finances. I am not even thinking about your time or your specific abilities. I am thinking about your heart.

As we approach the weekend celebrations…would you be willing to give your heart to your God? Would you consecrate yourself to the work of the church and to service in the world? Psalm 51 reminds us that a sacrifice that will please God is a broken and contrite heart.

How’s it going with your gift giving? Would you give your heart today?

Hebrews 9:1-14

2011-12-19T06:41:00.000-07:00

Luke 1:46b-55 I Samuel 1:1-18 Hebrews 9:1-14

Our destination is getting closer. We will soon be gathering to celebrate a beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve and then waking on Christmas morning to open packages and join our family of faith for another worship gathering. It will be a blessed weekend!

But first, we have a task at hand. It is the opportunity to prepare for worship. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be unique worship experiences so preparation calls for a unique method of getting ready.

In Hebrews 9 we find a wonderful description of the early worship setting for the Hebrew people. They found freedom from bondage in Egypt and then moved into the wilderness where they wandered for 40 years before arriving at the promised land. The time of wandering was also a time of worship. They were on the road but God was with them all the way.

God gave detailed instructions so they could build the Tabernacle (often called the Tent of Meeting) as a traveling worship center. Ultimately each of the elements of the Tabernacle would be duplicated in the Temple and then in the Synagogue. For now, we are going to think about the Holy of Holies. It is described in Hebrews 9:3 but you can discover much more in Exodus 25-30.

Once a year only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies to perform sacred duties. The priest would pass through the curtain that separated the Most High Place from the outer area. The curtain was blue and purple with scarlet yarn adornments. It was created of finely made linen with the image of a cherubim woven into the cloth. The curtain was hung on gold hooks that were attached to four posts that were made from the finest acacia wood. The wood was inlaid with gold and the posts were held upright by four silver bases.

Before the priest entered through the curtain there was a ritual of cleansing and preparation. Nothing that was unclean could enter the sacred space.

We do not approach our worship space in the same way. Our traditions are more informal. We have only one high priest, Jesus himself. And we have no Holy of Holies. But we do have a gift to offer to the world. It is the gift we call the priesthood of all believers. As a believer in Christ, you are a priest and you have a priestly function.

Our function in worship is to be the Holy of Holies where God chooses to reside. As such, we are the sacred temple of God. We are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Because we have a sacred function, we must enter with preparation and with the knowledge that God is present in our lives.

We have been traveling a road together as we make our way to the manger. I invite you to travel as a member of a consecrated priest in the company of other believers. Prepare your heart, wash your hands, confess your sin, repent, and believe…In return, God will bless you richly. ²

John 7:40-52

2011-12-17T08:57:00.002-07:00

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Judges 13:2-24 John 7:40-52

Why do women always make fun of men who won’t ask for directions? And why do men enjoy getting lost? Maybe you have seen that bumper sticker that says ‘all who wander are not lost.’ Some folks just wander. Personally, I have been known to wander a bit. I go north when it should have been south. I have missed an exit or two in my day. I have even (God forbid) broken the man rule and stopped at a gas station for directions. But the statute of limitations has expired on that one. Thanks be to God for GPS!

Ok, so you are not lost. But some get lost and can’t find their way. Whatever we do, we do not want to get lost on The Road to the Manger. We want to arrive safely. But to do that, we need to reconfirm where we are going.

In the Gospel of John the people become distressed because some are saying that Jesus is the Messiah. Others object with great passion because they know his home town is Nazareth in Galilee. Everyone knows that the Messiah will not come from Galilee! It has been written for centuries that the Messiah would come from the City of David! It is Bethlehem that will bring forth the Christ, not Galilee. This man Jesus cannot be the one because his home town is Nazareth.

Little did they know! Their spiritual GPS was off quite a bit. They would have been wise to stop, ask, and get their bearings. And that is what we need to do as well. Let’s get our bearings straight. Where are we going as we walk together on The Road to the Manger? No need to stop at a gas station. A quick stop at any third grade Sunday School classroom and they can tell us for sure. We are going to Bethlehem, the City of David, where Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph.

You can’t miss it. Just turn right at the first crossroad, head downtown, look for the inn, and there you are. Watch out for the angels and the shepherds. They will be right there under the star. Maybe we don’t need GPS after all. We just need to be obedient to the star. Are you ready to arrive? One week from today will be our great celebration of Christmas Eve. Don’t miss it! Watch for the angels and the shepherds!

II Samuel 6:12-19

2011-12-16T06:56:00.000-07:00

Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 II Samuel 6:12-19 Hebrews 1:5-14

Have you ever held on to resentment in your heart of hearts? You know the kind. They may start small and grow or they can start big and become huge. They are connected to anger, bitterness, sorrow, and often guilt. Someone said something or did something that was unforgivable. At least you treated it as unforgivable because it somehow seemed right and good to hold on to the pain. Even though it was not healthy, not helpful, and even destructive to your spirit…you hung on.

Did you dream of getting even? Maybe you even made a plan of what you would say, how you would turn the knife, or even embarrass them in public by catching them in a trap. Humans are like that.

In II Samuel we find a very interesting woman. Her name is Michal. She is the daughter of Saul the first and now former king of Israel. Saul has been replaced by David and his daughter is angry. Michal watches as King David rejoices in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant. He dances before the Lord but Michal just looks at him in disgust. Her anger and the way her father was treated continues to infect her spirit. She finally gets her chance to chastise David with words that are filled with sarcasm and a vindictive spirit. But it gets her nowhere.

That’s that way resentment grows in our hearts. It doesn’t just fade away. If it is not cleansed it will rise to the surface at the most inopportune time. Worse yet, it will become a giant speed bump on our journey to the manger. We won’t arrive in the fullness of the Lord with resentment in our hearts. We will be required to stand at a distance. We will not be able to join the shepherds at the side of the manger. We won’t get close enough to see the face of the Christ child.

Resentment. It is an infection that is treatable. The first step is to desire a cure for the things that fester.

Malachi 3:16 - 4:6

2011-12-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Wednesday meal at 5:30 The Road To The Manger Bible Study 6:15

Psalm 125 Malachi 3:16 – 4:6 Mark 9:9-13

Tonight: Wednesday Evening Gatherings. 5:30 p.m. meal, 6 p.m. classes for all ages.

Be sure to join us tonight at the church as we discover more about our journey to Bethlehem.

Bring a thought or two to share so the conversation can be rich.

We will learn from one another.

The last words of Malachi actually contain the final message of the Old Testament. They are not only the last words of the Old Testament; they are the last words from God for a 400 year period of time. From Malachi to the birth of Jesus, there is silence from the Word of God.

Then we discover that the last words are bittersweet at best. They are about renewal but they are also focused on a serious message of judgment. Some will be remembered and treasured while others will be cast aside like stubble from the field and ashes from the fire. And even though over 400 years had passed since the ministry of Elijah, we hear his name again as one who will return on the great day of the Lord.

So the themes of judgment and remembrance come to the surface. Judgment will fall on those who are disobedient to the covenant. Remembrance will be the gift that is offered to those who ‘fear the lord.’ Not fear as in frightened. But fear as in a powerful spirit of reverence.

Our journey on The Road to the Manger has been filled with insights and possibilities. Our faith rests on the reality that grace always wins. Our faithfulness that is combined with the grace of God always comes up on the positive side of the equation. At mid-week and ten days away from Christmas Eve…this would be a great time to take stock of who we are, whose we are, and where we are going.

The Grand Sweep

2011-12-13T12:46:00.001-07:00

Have you ever thought about reading the Bible from front to back in one year? Maybe you even set that as a personal goal or as a New Year resolution. Here is your chance!

The Grand Sweep of the Bible will begin for the Wilson community in January of 2012. We will move through the 52 weeks of the year with a focus on making our way from Genesis to Revelation. The experience will include several components:

Daily Bible reading with reflections for each day of the year.
Sunday morning sermon focus that will carry us from January to December
Individual small groups on Sunday - Wednesday - and throughout the week

The key is your own personal commitment to daily reading and reflection!

I hope you will join your brothers as sisters as we share this incredible journey together. Just stop by the Grand Sweep table, purchase a $12 daily reading guide, sign up for a group, be present on Sunday and you are in!

The Grand Sweep was created and designed by Dr. Ellsworth Kalas. I have actually invited Dr. Kalas to be with us on our journey. He will be with us in November! He will be preaching all three services and sharing a time of fellowship with the congregation. In addition, he will share a Saturday seminar that will expand your faith and encourage your spirit.

Dr. Kalas is a wonderful Christian leader. He is probably the most outstanding week-to-week preacher in recent memory. Sue and I have been blessed to know Ellsworth and his wife Janet from our days together at Asbury Seminary. I know you will be blessed.

For now, get your Bible, warm it up, and get ready for a great adventure!

II Kings 2:9-22

2011-12-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

Psalm 125 II Kings 2:9-22 Acts 3:17 – 4:4

Prophets were a key part of God’s plan as the people of Israel were watching and waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Chief among the prophets of the northern kingdom of Israel was a man named Elijah. He served in the north during the reign of King Omri and King Ahab. It was a difficult time in the history of Israel.

As Elijah was approaching the end of his life, a young prophet named Elisha (the two names are often confused) came to prominence . Elisha prayed that he could become a significant leader like Elijah. So Elijah gave him a chance. He was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire and a mighty whirlwind. From that moment Elisha would take on the mantle of leadership in the northern kingdom.

And from that moment people would teach that one day the great prophet Elijah would return since he did not die an earthly death. To this day every Jewish family will set an extra plate at the Passover meal. They will leave an empty chair and crack the entry door just a bit in case Elijah returns.

Our old friend John the Baptist continued the thread of the “Elijah” prophet who came to point to the Messiah. We have prophetic voices today. Voices of men and women who point us to Jesus and help us return to the center of our faith. They assist us in hearing the needs of the poor. They speak on behalf of God to remind us of who we are.

What prophetic voices are you hearing these days? Perhaps you are hearing the message of obedience as we reduce our holiday spending so we can invest deeply in the needs of a hurting world. Perhaps you are hearing from inside your own spirit as God reshapes you into a true servant of Christ. Perhaps…

Ephesians 6:10-17

2011-12-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

Psalm 125 I Kings 18:1-18 Ephesians 6:10-17

I hope your Sunday worship was wonderful. We had a great Sunday at Wilson with the kids Christmas program at 11! Way to go kids!

Keep moving forward to our goal of arriving just in time at the manger of Jesus. He always arrives 'just in time' for us...let's do the same for him.

The Book of Ephesians is only six short chapters but it is filled with wonderful teachings about the church and the Christian life. The last chapter is perhaps the best known of the entire book. It is the Armor of God that will protect the Christ follower and provide a spirit of strength to the church.

You can easily identify all the elements of this spiritual suit of armor. The armor includes the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Shoes of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit.

Each element is designed for a spiritual battle. Each piece is in place so the disciple of Jesus Christ can do one thing. Not fight more effectively, not enter battle with greater courage, not overcome evil with evil, but the one thing we will be equipped to do is to stand. Our task is to stand fast. We are to be solid in the face of adversity and firm in spite of all obstacles.

Simply standing doesn’t sound like a great way to make progress on The Road to the Manger but there are days when that is our task. To stand, to wait, to faithfully know that God will protect. That is a part of our Advent task. Are you standing? Are you on solid rock?

I Thessalonians 5:16-24

2011-12-11T05:49:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 I Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28

Our worship theme for today will focus on the Gospel of John and the prophecy of Isaiah. You might want to read those two passages of Scripture before arriving at worship today. You will also find them listed as a ‘live event’ on your youversion.com app along with some other elements that will enhance your worship today. Simply download the 'Holy Bible' app on your web enabled device, open the app and click on 'live', then search for a live event by entering our 80919 zip code. You will see us listed by the December 11, 2011 date. Give it a try!

Let’s make a quick visit to Thessalonica today. Do you know anyone who lives there? Have you ever visited? Just make your way to the northernmost point of the Mediterranean Sea and you will be in the port of Thessaloniki. It is a beautiful city with a volcanic history. But today we are not thinking about volcanic action or romantic seas. We are thinking about our Road to the Manger. How will an ancient city in Greece help us arrive in Bethlehem?

Once again we give thanks for the writings of Paul. This time he is assisted in his conversation by his friends Timothy and Silas. They were quite a missionary team!

This section is simply identified as ‘final instructions’ but in today’s language we would call them bullet points. It is the trio’s way of saying good-bye, don’t forget your sisters and brothers, and by the way, remember the key elements of Christian behavior.

The bullet points are critically important to our journey. Don’t miss them. But our focus is on the benediction in verse 23. Benediction— that is just a long Latin sounding word that means ‘good word.’

Paul, Silas, and Timothy must have agreed on the good word that would close the letter. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Now that is a good word. Would you like to be blameless in your spirit, soul and body at the coming of our Lord? Remember two of our Advent themes are waiting and preparation. We wait with a spirit of hope. We are prepared through our faith in Jesus Christ. The Road to the Manger is filled with bullet points, schedules, details, and even some difficulties. But “the one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

Log on to www.wilsonumc.org to listen to the message for today. I comes from John 1 and is called "Behold, the Lamb of God"

Psalm 126

2011-12-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

Psalm 126 Habakkuk 3:13-19 Matthew 21: 28-32

OK, we have been reading Psalm 126 for the last three days. Perhaps it is time to take a closer look at this beautiful song of ascents. It is a ‘song of ascents’ because the people of ancient Israel would sing it as they were climbing the hill that approached the temple in Jerusalem. It is a song of worship with a lyric that speaks of preparation.

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.” Those are the words of people who are excited about their anticipated time of worship in the house of the Lord. There was a spirit of joy that filled their words of praise. They still had to climb the hill but they did it with laughter, joy and anticipation.

We too have been traveling a road together. It is the road that will lead us to the Christ Child. We know where we will find him. He will be there waiting for us in the form of an infant, the Word became flesh, the incarnate Son of God. We know he is waiting. We know it because we have found him to be faithful in the past. He has always been there.

Our faith journey invites us to travel The Road to the Manger with the same kind of hope, joy and laughter that identified the people of Israel. They were climbing an actual hill. We are symbolically traveling the road to Bethlehem. They were anticipating the Messiah. We are renewing our relationship with someone we have known to be with us on previous journeys. They are hopeful for the future. We are blessed to be present with Christ today.

Let’s walk together. Lift your heads. Sing with laughter filling your mouth. Let songs of joy proclaim the goodness of God. For The Road to the Manger is a place willed with the heart of God.

Don't forget to be in worship tomorrow. For our Wilson community we will be thinking together about the Lamb of God from the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Wherever you worship, open your heart, look with the eyes of your heart, and be blessed by the presence of Jesus.

Peace to all, and a special blessing to those who are preparing for final exams!

Philippians 3:12-16

2011-12-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

Psalm 126 Habakkuk 3:2-6 Philippians 3:12-16

May I stick with the Apostle Paul and the Book of Philippians for one more day? I hope you grant permission, because here we go!

Every Christian has a testimony. Every believer has a word to share about how their relationship with God has become vital and valued. Each person has something that can become an encouragement to someone who is seeking a deeper faith. Unfortunately, we have convinced ourselves that testimony is something for someone else. Surely not for me!

But our journey to the celebration of Christmas has a different word for us. Testimony is good! In fact, testimony is a wonderful and expected ingredient of the Christian life. We all have a testimony. The question is this…will we be willing to share it? Because if a testimony is not shared is simply a secret. And secrets by nature cannot be an encouragement.

Paul’s testimony may be more extensive than our resume but his witness is not more powerful. It is just more extensive. Your witness, your testimony has power to the people within your sphere of influence. Have you shared it lately?

We do not need to be at the top of the Christian pyramid before our testimony can be certified as worthy. According to the Apostle Paul all we need to do it contained in verse 16. “Let us live up to what we have already attained.” Let us live, act, and breathe the things that we already know about the Lord. We can wait on the rest. But first, let us live up to the things we have discovered. If we do that, our testimony will be valid and valuable. Is there someone (within your sphere of influence) who will be blessed by a word from you today?

Philippians 3:7-11

2011-12-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Psalm 126 Habakkuk 2:1-5 Philippians 3:7-11

I don’t know how many times I have described the Apostle Paul as the ‘greatest Christian’ of all time or the most powerful ‘Christian missionary’ we have ever known. He was quite a guy. But he was a person like you and me. He struggled. He believed. He worked faithfully to live what he professed.

As a young Christian I often imagined Paul as someone who was so deeply spiritual that I could never even dream of coming close to that kind of connection with the Lord. Then I started reading the various places in the New Testament where Paul shares portions of his Christian testimony. I discovered a man. A dedicated man, but a man none the less.

I learned that he had human longings. He wanted to be understood. He enjoyed relationships with friends and coworkers. He even got angry from time to time.

But those were not the things that connected me to his heart. They made him more human but they did not link my life to his. That happened when I did a study of the Book of Philippians. His teaching spoke to me in a unique way. His prayers became alive. And his heart was exposed. For the first time I began to see the Apostle Paul as someone who did not live at the top of the Christian pyramid. His spirit was attainable because his heart was exposed.

I remember reading chapter three, verse seven…”whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” I realized that he meant what he said. All of the accolades, every personal elevation, all of his education, each achievement was worth nothing unless it was for the sake of Christ. Then verse ten hit me. His declaration rang in my heart, “I want to know Christ…” Here was the great Apostle Paul saying that above everything his one objective was to know Jesus. I resonated with that witness and was encouraged by his words.

I wonder if you would join me in a declaration of desire. Could you say … above all things … I want to know Christ? I want to know his power, his life, his death, and yes…to somehow obtain the gift of resurrection.

This is an Advent declaration that will sustain us on The Road to the Manger, “I want to know Christ.”

Malachi 2:10 – 3:1

2011-12-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

          Wonderful Wednesday meal at 5:30 The Road To The Manger Bible Study 6:15

                    Psalm 27     Malachi 2:10 – 3:1      Luke 1:5-17

          The days of Malachi sound a lot like our culture today. Relationships are often in chaos. People are in conflict with one another. Intimate vows are disregarded. People cry out for God but choose not to listen to the response. In the end, (verse 17) we have wearied the Lord with our words.

          I suppose God could decide to leave it at that. The Lord could say, “I’ve had enough.” We could be cut off, orphaned, abandoned, or even ostracized. But thanks be to God that is not the plan. The plan is for God to fulfill the innate character of the Almighty. It is the nature of God’s character to never give up. God pursues. God loves to make a way.

          This time, God is going to create an Advent Road to the Manger. God will send a messenger to prepare the way for the Messiah. Guess who that messenger will be? Right! It is another powerful reference to John the Baptist who is always the forerunner of Jesus.

          Even when things are really bad, God has a plan. Things may not be wonderful at your house today. You may be dealing with things that are known only to you. If that is the case, please know this…God has a plan. God loves to make a way. God never gives up. No matter what you face, you are not alone!

          A part of the plan is the personal connection you have with God and the relationships you experience as a part of the church. Be sure to join us tonight as we break bread together and work together to excavate God’s Word. We are never alone!

Isaiah 4:2-6

2011-12-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

          Psalm 27      Isaiah 4:2-6      Acts 11:1-18

          How beautiful is the Word of God. It is especially glorious and powerful when the people of God are eating a daily diet of grace and digesting the truth that is contained. How beautiful is the Word of God!

          Isaiah is offering a promise. It is a promise we have seen before. ‘In that day’ the Lord will become a God of transformation and glory. In that day the beauty of the Lord will flow and fruit will become a blessing. The things of the past will be washed away so the future can be pure and overflowing with possibility. Then something really beautiful will happen! God will appear over Mount Zion in the form of a cloud by day and a flame by night. And God will become a refuge from the storms of life. How beautiful is the Word of God!

          Is there a window close by as you are reading this section? Take a moment, look to the west, what do you see? I hope you can see the mountains. Perhaps Pikes Peak is in your view. Maybe it is covered brightly with fresh snow. Or you might have a view that simply reminds you of the power and beauty of creation.

          Now, imagine a cloud of smoke encircling the mountains by day. Can you visualize a glow of flame by night? That, my friends, is the image of how God desires to be present on ‘that day’ of the Lord. For the people hearing Isaiah’s prophecy it was an unknown day. It might be tomorrow or it could be somewhere far in the future. For us, the day has come. The Messiah has arrived. Oh yes, he will return! But for now, we get to live in the glow.

          How beautiful is the Word of God! How beautiful are the people of God! Can you claim that reality today?

Psalm 27

2011-12-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

          Psalm 27           Isaiah 26:7-15           Acts 2:37-42

          We will be reading Psalm 27 for the next three days so let’s take a look at it as the week begins.

          I would suggest that you read the Psalm slowly. Let it resonate in your soul. Allow the words and the thoughts to become a part of your thinking and a part of your prayer. For this is a Psalm of joyful instruction. It is a song of hope. It is an epic poem of commitment and confidence. Read it with a smile on your face and a tune in your heart. Be sure to read it tomorrow and the next day as well. The repetition will create a place in your heart and mind for this overcoming word.

          You might find some familiar words in this Psalm. You will find the lyrics embedded into songs we sing in worship. You will hear the commitment to seek the face of God and to know God’s heart. It is a sacred song that was intended to provide encouragement as the people of God offer their acts of worship.

          Verse 4 represents the prayer of a true disciple while verse 11 might remind you of John the Baptist once again. But it is the very last verse that really punctuates the message.

          Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

          You won’t find a stronger Advent theme! This is our call to worship. It is our posture for our journey. It is the way we think about the Lord. It is Advent, and it is us!

          Be strong, take heart, wait for the Lord! Amen!

2011-12-04T08:04:00.002-07:00

Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 II Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8

The Isaiah 40 and Mark 1 passages will be the focus for our Sunday Worship so we will take a look at the message from II Peter for our personal devotions. Once again, did you notice the “day of the Lord” theme? We talked about it on Monday of last week. Remember, ‘the day of the Lord’ is always a specific reference to a particular day when salvation history and the activity of God will be revealed in a life changing way.

We also see another theme that we have visited in the past week. It is the subject of waiting or being patient. But here it is a combination of our ability to faithfully wait along with the reality that God is also waiting on his people. God is waiting (being patient) because the Lord does not want anyone to perish. God is holding off ‘that day’ until all have had a chance to repent.

We also discover that the topic of patiently waiting is also coupled with another key theme. It is about watching and being prepared. God wants to add blessing to our lives. But we run the risk of missing the blessing because we may not be paying attention. The ability to be spiritually alert is a key prerequisite for our discovery of a deeper life with Christ.

I want to invite you to spend a few moments in reflection today. Perhaps you can take some time this afternoon to remember the times when God has been patient with you. From there, reflect on verse 14. What do you think? Are you fully at peace with God?

2011-12-03T08:26:00.002-07:00

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Ezekiel 36:24-28 Mark 11:27-33

The prophecy of Ezekiel comes from the heart of a man who has been living in exile. He is in Babylon under the rule of a foreign dictator. His home is in Jerusalem where he longs to return with his family. He receives a word from the Lord about the restoration of his fallen homeland. It is a theme that will bring new life to the entire nation of Israel. Check out chapter 36 for the prophetic outcome!

For now, the four short verses from our reading provide us with a wonderful image of restoration. It is personal restoration that accompanies a national reworking. It is an image of hope that once again connects our journey to the waters of baptism.

God tells the people that they will be restored to their homeland. In addition, God will sprinkle them with cleansing water to purify them from their experience of exile. Then, God promises to provide a new heart to the people. A heart of stone has developed through all the hardship of exile. But God wants them to have a heart of flesh that will allow the people to return to full obedience.

Our Advent journey is also a homecoming expedition. We come home to the Christ child who will provide love, comfort, hope, and the gift of salvation. Our homecoming requires a commitment to start fresh. God promises to cleanse, provide, and restore our lives as we are faithful in our journey.

Jeremiah 31:33 carries a similar theme…each person is to receive a heart that is right with God so our journey can be complete. Today is a day of reflection. May I ask you some personal questions? Are there areas of life where your heart has become hard like stone? Is there some cleansing that needs to be done? Would you like to arrive at the manger with a new spirit in your heart or would it be OK to just go through the motions? God is ready…are you?

Acts 11:19-26

2011-12-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

          Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13      Jeremiah 1:4-10      Acts 11:19-26

          I hope your week has gone well and that your weekend is filled with a plan for worship with your friends, time in conversation with your family, and overflowing with a spirit of restoration.

          Today we will visit the early days of the church from the first century as we discover our faith reflected in the Book of Acts.

          Did you notice the reference to John the Baptist in Peter’s conversation? John often shows up during Advent since he is one of the key biblical figures who provides a straight road to the identity of the Messiah. In this situation Peter is remembering a reality that had apparently gone unnoticed until now. That reality was that John came to baptize with water but the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit. In fact, that reality arrives at Peter’s memory because he is experiencing the power of the Spirit.

          Have you remembered and experienced the power of the Spirit in this last week? God uses that kind of ‘memory experience’ to refresh our spirits and to teach us about new things that are on the horizon. We see it in Peter’s life and in the journey of the early church.

          The church was born with serious labor pains. Some were from within but most were from the serious oppression and persecution from the culture that was being challenged by the teachings of Jesus. I am thankful that the early Christ followers were faithful in the face of persecution. I am grateful that a handful of folks gathered in a community called Antioch. For it was from that location that they set off to change the world. They were made alive with the Spirit of God and were spiritually commissioned as full time missionaries. Check the close of verse: they not only became missionaries, they became known as Christians.

          Christ follower, is that your name and your identity as we walk together on The Road to the Manger?

Hosea 6:1-6

2011-12-01T08:38:00.002-07:00

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Hosea 6:1-6 I Thessalonians 1:2-10

World AIDS Day

          I hope you will take some time today to pray for people who are infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. We celebrate the advancements that have been made, but grieve that the virus still thrives. We are saddened by the continued infection rate and by the impact this disease is having on our world.

          I chose Hosea today because he is a man who lived a hard life. His Road to the Manger was difficult and filled with pain. Just read Hosea chapter one to get a quick feel for the grief of his life. In spite of all the obstacles, Hosea was faithful. He faithfully carried out his life journey and he devoted himself to the prophetic message of God. What does Hosea have to say to our lives today?

          I asked the wrong question. It is not what does Hosea have to say… what is Hosea shouting to us! He stands and shouts to the people, “Come, let us return to the Lord.”

          Hosea lived in troubled times. His personal life was difficult but his entire nation was about to fall into captivity and disgrace. The people had strayed from the Lord. They became involved in all the glitz, glamour, and grime of the culture. Hosea’s shout is intended to get them back on the right track. Let us return to the Lord.

          Have you ever needed to return to the Lord? Have you ever found yourself captured, enthralled, even joyfully participating in the things that are outside God’s design? Have you ever been so caught up in Christmas that you forgot that The Road to the Manger is filled with blessing?

          By the way, did you read the first two verses of Psalm 85? It is the answer to the Jeopardy question…What happens when the people of God hear the shout of Hosea?

Luke 21:34-38

2011-11-30T07:18:00.002-07:00

Psalm 79 Micah 5:1-5a Luke 21:34-38

The author of the Gospel of Luke was a physician. He traveled many of the missionary roads of the New Testament with the Apostle Paul. We also know that he was bright, articulate, and careful in his depiction of the life of Jesus.

In Chapter 21, Luke brings the words of Jesus to life. He also revives a portion of our conversation from the past two days. Did you notice in verse 34 when he made reference to ‘that day’ that will close like a spring loaded trap? Remember, from our modern point of view it is easy to read ‘that day’ as any-old-day. But everyone who heard the words of Jesus knew exactly what he was talking about. It was a specific day in the spiritual history of the world when everything would change dramatically.

Did you also notice the two key things Jesus commanded for the people? He must have been thinking about our Advent season in 2011! He said watch and pray. Watch, be ready, be aware, don’t let it slip by, put it at the top of your list, watch. He also instructed them to pray. Watch and pray, those are the two key spiritual disciplines of Advent.

I would like to ask you to join me in a bit of an experiment that will take us to the end of the day. Would you be willing to commit yourself to a heightened awareness of the presence of God in your life? Take a moment; put the plan and presence of God on your calendar. Stick the name of God to your refrigerator with a magnet. Put a sticky note on your computer screen. Do whatever you need to do, but create a way to keep the presence of God fully in your awareness. When you do that, you will be watching and praying. You will be fulfilling the teaching of Jesus.

The Road to the Manger is filled with watching and praying. Lord, make us aware!

Micah 4:6-16

2011-11-29T06:12:00.003-07:00

Psalm 79 Micah 4:6-16 Revelation 18:1-10

Micah heard from the Lord! He called out to God and now he receives a response. Have you ever heard from the Lord? Maybe you heard a still small voice, or the quiet nudge to go this way instead of that way, or perhaps you could testify to a clear message that God provided in your life. Micah could offer that testimony. He heard from the Lord.

The message he heard calls us back to our conversation about ‘that day’ the ‘day of the Lord’ or ‘in the last days.’ The message Micah hears from God is about ‘that day’ of transformation and hope that we talked about yesterday. But today the word and the activity of God is fleshed out with clarity. The actions of God are stated specifically and personally. God is going to gather those who are disabled, retrieve the exiles, and speak to those who grieve.

We learn something about God through this word. We discover what we have known all along. That God does not seek out the tall, athletic, beautiful, gifted, handsome, or brilliant folks among the people of God as a first option. Instead, God is more likely to think about the poor, the disabled, the grief stricken, the exile, the orphan and the widow.

Perhaps the things we learn about God’s thinking should become an ingredient of our own lives. Perhaps our Advent giving and our Christmas service to others could be directed to the people that arrive first on the mind and heart of God.

The New Testament teaches us that we are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” The Book of Romans instructs us to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Would it make any difference in the way we choose to live this day if the mind of God were present in our own lives?

Micah 4:1-5

2011-11-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

Psalm 7 Micah 4:1-5 Revelation 15:1-8

The writers of the Old Testament often made reference to the promise of the anticipated Messiah by using language in a way that everyone in their day understood very clearly. Today we might simply refer to ‘nine-eleven’ without any additional explanation needed. Everyone would understand.

The same is true for the words Micah used to open this section of Scripture. He said, “In the last days” and everyone knew that he was talking about the Messianic promise. He was thinking about a day when everything would be different. It would be a time when people would discover a new understanding of hope. On that day there would be a fresh spirit of worship. It would be so radical that even entire nations would begin to relate to each other in some novel and unexpected ways. They would train for war no more. They would have their own vine and their own fig tree to sustain them. And no one would live in fear.

On that beautiful and transforming day the people could ‘walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.’ We would add, AMEN! We add a hearty Amen for the prayer of the ancient people of Micah’s day. But we also add a prayerful Amen for our own lives and our own times.

Advent is about waiting. It is about getting ready. It is about a heart that is filled with anticipation that stems from a wonderful and powerful spirit of expectation. Embedded in the depth of our prayer is our desire for the transformation of the world that will come on that day of the Lord.

Lord Jesus, come, fill us! Lord Jesus, start here!

The First Sunday of Advent

2011-11-27T05:28:00.001-07:00

This is the first installment (29 days to follow) of The Road to the Manger Advent devotional guide.

Note that the four Scripture readings are from the Common Lectionary.

The reading that is marked in bold is the focus for the thoughts that follow.

I pray that our Advent journey will be rich and rewarding!

Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 I Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37

Today is a day of worship! What a joy it is when the people of God gather to worship the Lord. All creation sings as people of faith live their lives in an act of praise. Thanks for being a person who values worship!

If you open the song book of the Psalms and turn to number 80, you will discover that it was originally written for the tune “The Lilies of the Covenant.” We don’t know what that tune sounded like but we do know that the lyrics have chorus and verse. The main body of the song is a cry to God to hear the plight of the people. You can hear the depth of their tears in the refrain that is repeated three times in a fairly short Psalm.

Restore us, Lord God Almighty;

Make your face to shine on us, that we may be saved.

I wonder how many times they sang that song. How many days did they wait for restoration? How long would they be willing to linger with the hope that the face of God would shine on them once again? How long would you be prepared to wait for a fresh glimpse at the savior? What would you be willing to do so you could be sure you were ready to receive the Messiah?

We are waiting. We are praying. We are singing out our prayers of hope as we describe the depth of our need to the Lord. As we wait, as we prepare, as we worship, as we experience your Word…restore us, Lord God Almighty! Make your face to shine on us, that we may be saved. Come, Lord Jesus! ²

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I pray that your day is filled with blessings!

Watch here starting Sunday November 27 for a 29 day devotional guide that will take us down the Road to the Manger. It will feature daily Scripture and a brief devotional thought. Enjoy!

Prayer Requests

2011-11-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

It seems like I am always asking someone to pray. It happens on Sunday morning when we gather for worship. It happens in one-on-one settings. It even happens through strange electronic media. So, what happens when people pray?

I remember a conversation from years past. I was sitting with a group of pastors. One shared a prayer request about her son who was enlisting in the military so he could prepare to go to war. She wanted to protect her son and invited us to pray for him.

Another member of the group was first to speak. "I can't pray for your son because...what if something happens...would that prove God's unwillingness to hear our prayers?" Bummer, I thought. Did I just hear that? Yep, I can't pray because God might not be faithful. I spoke next and offered to pray for her son.

God doesn't always answer my prayers. In fact, sometimes they just seem to go off somewhere unknown. Other times they boomerang back with the speed of light. Then there are those sacred moments when God draws near and invites us all to pray. In a way, it is God's prayer request that always brings us to our knees.

Today I am praying for my favorite seminary students who will soon be leading the people of God in acts of prayer. I am praying for current disciples who are struggling with their faith that will one day be solid and strong. I am praying for all the people who are afraid to pray. I am praying for someone to come along at just the right time so I can share a prayer request with them.

Like the glow of a quiet candle, like the subtle warmth of the flame, like the wax that becomes soft and fluid, like your heart and mine...I pray that we will always pray together.

Livid or Living?

2011-10-03T09:43:00.000-06:00

Please do not attempt to confirm this with Sue, but I don't get really really mad very often. However, let me drop the other shoe. This one really ticks me off. I can't believe this actually happened to me.

All summer long I have been cranking out the miles on Ol' Blue. She has been sooo good to me over the years. Faithful, available, always willing to go! I feel guilty every time I even think about that new Trek 520!

So Blue and I set a goal for the season. We wanted to do 1000 miles together. It started off slow but the miles kept adding up on my Cateye odometer. We go to 500, then 600, and finally all the way to 985 last week. It was time to go over the top! I couldn't wait. So I head out this morning to hit the 1000 mark. I watched as my faithful Cateye clicked off the miles one decimal point at a time. I was all set to take a picture when it logged 1000 so I could relish the moment.

995.18 998.25 finally 999.99. One tenth of one mile and I would be home free! I was all set to take my photo. Then it happened. It clicked the last tenth. Have you ever felt that lousy feeling that happens when your heart shifts from excitement to 'what in the world happened?' My odometer made the move. It went from 999.99 to the next logical number in my long anticipated sequence. It went to 0.00!

Can you believe that? Where is the glory? What happened to the goal that was achieved? How can I memorialize the moment in the trophy case of life? How could my 1000 mile goal suddenly turn to the dry and dusty nothingness of 0.00? Who would do a thing like that? Was it some evil plot that was hatched at Cateye central? Bummer! Livid!

But wait a minute. I don't have trophy case. And all the miles have been really good. On top of that, there are more miles on the horizion. And what about that 'livid to living' dilemena. Isn't that that way it is with many things in life? When one sequence comes to an end another begins!

I remember the first time I read Joel Barker's work when I discovered the reality of paradigm thinking. Barker said that when a paradigm shifts, everything goes back to zero. Isn't that true! When things change, everything related to that change is impacted.

I thought about our current situation at the church. Last January we made a shift in our worship setting by adding an additional worship service and adjusting the times. People began to change to accommodate the new paradigm. Some were comfortable, some went out of their way to adapt, others struggled, and some said 'sorry Charlie.' Thankfully many many adapted without any friction at all!

But paradigm shifts often impact people in unexpected ways. So worship decisions impact Christian Education. And the traffic patterns impact hospitality. And the whole thing calls for more leaders to step forward to keep it all going. In the end...the things that could make us livid actually bring us to life. I am thankful for life!

2000 here we come!

Getting it Right

2011-09-28T14:56:00.001-06:00

Tonight I will be doing a brief teaching about the nature of the Holy Spirit. I want to get it right! But getting it right is a really complex thing. I know my conversation will simply touch the surface as we think about the nature, ministry, and presence of the Holy Spirit. Still, I want to get it right.

I guess the only real way to do that is to take a look inside. Do I have it 'right' on the inside? Am I living and loving the indwelling Spirit of God? Am I allowing the Holy Spirit to live through me? Am I expressing the gifts that the Spirit has provided so ministry within the Body of Christ is maximized and comes to an new understanding of unity?

These are the real questions that will make all the difference. I can get the Bible references correct, articulate the theology of pneumatology to the best of my ability (limited at best), and I can lead a solid discussion about the ins-and-outs of the Trinity...but if it is not right inside it will show on the outside.

Spirit of the living God, Fall afresh on me...Help me get it right from the inside out!

Where did the summer go?

2011-09-05T19:15:00.001-06:00

What happened? Who was that masked man? Was that a speeding bullet? Where did the summer go?

Part of the answer is a great mystery. It takes the shape of mystery because we all know that chronos is not the same as kairos. In kairos time, God is in control. Whenever God is in control the mystery begins to unfold. So it is, the summer is gone but the mystery remains!

Meanwhile I have been doing my best to be faithful to Old Blue. We've been around the block a time or two. Soon the magic number will roll around. 1000 is a cool number with just the right number of zeros. It is a balancing point that demands achievement and cries out to be overcome. I think we will. I am sure we can do it because Isaiah 40 proclaims the truth. It's all about waiting!

I have been blessed with a wonderful place to serve with my Wilson sisters and brothers. We are colleagues in Christ. I also am blessed with some very interesting new friends. I spent some time with them this week. What a joy to hear different accents and to discover the uniqueness of culture from around the world. Here they are. Waiting!

Those who wait upon the Lord...

Summer!

2011-06-23T08:16:00.000-06:00

Here we are! It is summer once again. The longest day of the year just came and went but the beat goes on. Even though the days will get progressively shorter...each day holds a new promise.

You may know folks who do not see a fresh 24 hour framework as a new promise or as an unrevealed experience of hope. In moments of confession, I would have to say that I see most days as hopeful but there are those days...you know those days...when things tend to look a bit darker on the horizon.

Every time those dark clouds seem to settle in on my soul...it seems that God uses the same strategy to get my attention and to turn my head. It always seems to come in the form of the Sermon on the Mount. You know the one. Jesus gathers his disciples on a hillside. The crowds are close enough to overhear the conversation. He begins to teach and the world begins to change.

From time to time, my world needs to change. Maybe I should say my worldview needs to change. Because, in the end, it is all about how we see the rest of the world. Let me suggest that the lens of Matthew 5-7 is a wonderful way to readjust your point of view.

May this day...and all days to come...be lived on that hillside within earshot of the Good Shepherd.

New Book!

2011-05-24T11:00:00.000-06:00

If you are interested in personal bible study that will expand your horizons...here is the tool! Dr. David Bauer and Dr. Robert Traina have published an updated version of Traina's original Methodical Bible Study.

I am only half way through but it has already been an eye opener to technique and strategy that expands my thinking about how we engage God's Word. I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants to see Scripture clearly.

Thanks David! Great work.

Pastor Report 2011 FYI

2011-05-17T17:20:00.003-06:00

Pastor Report

Randy Jessen

Wilson United Methodist Church

Church Conference May 17, 2011

Let me start this report by sharing some personal reflections. First, this Church Conference (and the upcoming Annual Conference) represents two full years of service together here within the Wilson Church community. July 1^st will actually mark the start of year number three of my appointment here at Wilson. Without reservation, I can tell you that it has been a joy to serve with you.

From our home to your home, I join Sue and Ana in saying thank you for letting us become a part of the Wilson family. We cherish the relationships that have been built and look forward to new relationships and service opportunities that are on the horizon.

As we look back at the past year it is easy to see that we have several things to celebrate together. In many ways it has been a remarkable year of mission and ministry. In this report, I want to highlight some of the events and experiences that have touched the broader life of the church and share some personal desires and dreams for the future.

By this time, it will be no surprise that I stay in close touch with some key indicators that provide us a snapshot of health for the congregation. One of those indicators is our average worship attendance. You will find a helpful chart on the last page of this report but let me share some highlights. Our average annual worship attendance at the close of 2009 was 157. At the end of 2010 our annual average attendance had increased to 176. Our current average worship attendance (up to May 8, 2011) is 215 individuals. You might think of it like this: it we close 2011 with an average of 200 in worship attendance that would represent an increase of 27% in three years. Way to go Wilson!

In addition to our regular Sunday attendance, we also track the flow of worship attendance related to special worship services like Christmas Eve and Easter as an indicator of our connection to the community and our potential for the future. Our Christmas Eve attendance for 2008 was 224. In 2009 we took a step forward by adding additional services to our Christmas Eve schedule. The result was 345 people who joined us for worship. Our 2010 Christmas Eve worship reached 465 people who shared this sacred experience in our worship center. The growth from 2008 to 2010 represents a rate of 107% increase. For some Christmas Eve attendees, this will be the first step into a life of faith and service. Again, way to go Wilson!

Easter worship attendance has seen a similar pattern of growth. Since 2009 our Easter attendance has increased from 203 to 400 in 2011. We can take two approaches to this Christmas Eve and Easter outpouring of participation. We could be troubled by the fact that folks only attend occasionally. Or we can do our best to establish a deeper relationship and celebrate what might be a first step of faith. I much prefer the latter. I love it that you do too!

We can attribute these growth patterns to several dynamics. First, without question we are seeing the power of the Holy Spirit at work. Individuals are taking new steps in faith, more people are engaged in missional service, and we are experiencing a growing number of new families and individuals who are finding a church home here at Wilson. Second, we are always on the watch for ways that we can strengthen our worship services and our total Sunday morning experience of education, worship and fellowship. Third, we made a key decision at the close of 2010 to expand our worship schedule from two services to three with expanded Christian education opportunities available at all three hours. The three service schedule has opened the doors of the church to make space for a positive future.

Along with tracking what God is doing among us in regard to worship attendance, we also find strong indicators of growth in our mission ministries. In fact, this may be our strongest indicator of what God has in store for us as we faithfully step into the future.

We were blessed over a year ago when the Church Council and Charge Conference took a leap of faith to authorize the establishment of a non-profit structure to provide leadership for our missional outreach. Diakonia came to life with a strong focus on establishing our in-house and community based preschool ministries. Since that time, the missional directions of Diakonia have continued to expand. They now incorporate the guidelines that were endorsed through our Bold New Step efforts. Today we are blessed by the Wilson Christian Preschool, the Westside Community Preschool, and are working toward the full establishment of the Meadows Park Preschool.

In addition we have a wonderfully growing number of people who are serving through the ministry of WestSide CARES. In fact, our relationship with WestSide CARES continues to be stronger with each passing day. Our missional ministry has now also expanded to incorporate a growing relationship with the Methodist Church of Costa Rica and Bishop Luis Fernando Palomo. Our first mission team to Costa Rica will be on site at the Iglesia Metodista Faro del Este outside of San Jose. The team will be engaged in preparing and presenting a Vacation Bible School program for children in the area while others mix concrete and work on the foundation for the church parsonage. We look forward to a long, personal, and fruitful relationship with the church in Costa Rica.

On another international front, I will also be exploring a missional relationship with the Methodist Church in Haiti. Right now, I plan to be in Haiti with a small team in November to explore possibilities.

While these significant mission events are unfolding we also are blessed to have many people who serve from a quiet and humble posture. We have people who visit shut-in homes, deliver meals-on-wheels, serve through our WestSide CARES food banks, assist people in the community with meals and rent assistance, teach adults how to read, build homes with Habitat for Humanity, and a number of additional ministries that transform families and bring the Kingdom of God to the lives of others in our community. I celebrate the blessing you are and rejoice in the many ways you express your faith. Again, way to go Wilson!

I don’t have the opportunity to speak about every ministry that helped shape the past year, but I would be remiss if I did not mention our experience with our summer study of the Book of Revelation, the Advent study of the Gospel of Luke, and our Lenten Circle of Love devotions. It was a wonderful blessing to see so many people reading Scripture daily and committing to new levels of growth and discovery. And who among us was not blessed by the African Children’s Choir! Sometimes great gifts come in small unexpected packages that are filled to overflowing with wonderful energy!

One additional set of highlights stand out very significantly for me. In the past year, we engaged and supported two Chrysalis youth retreats and four adult Walk to Emmaus events with Wilson participants and servants taking part in all six events. From my past experience I can tell you that Chrysalis and the Walk to Emmaus (along with Kairos prison ministry) has the potential to reshape the foundations of our local church leadership as we continue to serve strongly through a robust spiritual framework.

In general, our ministry task is to stay faithful while not being complacent; to be ready to risk without being reckless; to stay balanced while we remain on target; to be open to wisdom and revelation that will help us know God better; and to care for our own personal spiritual journey so we can invest in building others. In the end, everything points to Jesus and Jesus always points us to other people as we seek to be the obedient servants of God.

On a personal note, I am blessed to serve side-by-side with a wonderful leadership team that includes our paid and unpaid staff team. We have a great (and growing) team of folks who are committed to servant leadership. It has been (and will continue to be) a wonderful gift to my spirit to share this small part of the Wilson journey with you.

I think most of you know by now that I find great joy (and personal renewal for my soul) through my teaching relationship with Asbury Theological Seminary. I serve the Asbury community as an Affiliate Faculty member and teach each semester through the online program. I teach a course called United Methodist Discipline and Polity and a practical ministry course called Cross Cultural Mentored Ministry. Both of these courses are within the Master of Divinity curriculum. I also teach an on-campus course with the Doctor of Ministry program called Spirituality of Leaders. I will be leading the Spirituality of Leaders course in early September with a group of 18 students from around the world. That class group will include students from Japan, South Korea, Germany, Bulgaria, Sierra Leone, India, Mexico, Myanmar, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and even students from places like Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and North Carolina. It should be great fun!

Let’s shift gears a bit and review a set of goals that I presented to the Church Conference on June 15, 2010. I presented the following eight goals:

1. Develop and equip an increasing number of emerging leaders within the life of the congregation.

2. Equip a group of individuals who feel called and comfortable with long-term in-depth relational visitation for members of the congregation who are shut in, hospitalized, or in nursing care.

3. Work with the current leadership to create a structural and organizational pattern for the leadership of the church that will allow for ease of decision making and maximize the ministry opportunities of the church.

4. Increase our overall average worship attendance by 10% in the next year.

5. Work to develop the 11:00 worship service and to increase worship attendance during that time.

6. Develop (and implement as appropriate) a plan for expanding our worship opportunities to three regular Sunday morning services.

7. Create a plan to improve our visual appearance along our Flying W Ranch Road frontage.

8. Expand and enhance the missional base of the church from our neighborhood, to our region and on to a global perspective.

A quick review will reveal that we accomplished several of these goals while others are ongoing and continuous elements of the congregation. I would highlight goal number seven above as a component of our overall ministry that may seem insignificant but is critically important to our relationship with our neighboring community. It would be wonderful to develop a plan to modestly improve our visual and inviting position in this area.

As I think about new goals for the coming year I know we will all want to continue to expand and implement the bullet points that are identified above. But my specific thoughts about new goals tend to circle around one particular area of our life together. That area could be summed up in a single very potent word: generosity. It will make all the difference.

As you will soon discover, the Finance Team and the Church Council will be presenting a budget proposal for this next six months that will represent a step of faith for the coming year. Friends, without any desire to create a spirit of guilt among us (because guilt is the worst motivator in the world!), I want to say that there is really no need to see the new budget as a ‘step of faith’. We can do this. And we can even move well beyond the limitations of the past by seriously considering what it means to be the generous people of a gracious God. I would invite you to join the conversation and the commitment to personally tithe. I believe the church is the hope of the world. It is that important.

In the context of this conversation about our financial picture, we can also look at the wonderful gains we have made through our commitment to A Bold New Step. This campaign has already helped us significantly to reduce our debt, decrease the time line on the payoff of our mortgage, and create remarkable funding for our missional outreach. I celebrate the commitments that have been made and invite others to become a part of the Bold New Step effort.

Our current mortgage time line has been reduced. We also received a reduction in our overall interest rate. And we are paying ahead of schedule each month to continuously decrease the debt. As of March 2011 we owe $316,774.50 with a scheduled payoff in March 2019. I would suggest that a payoff timeline that takes us to a March 2019 mortgage burning is way to far in the future. We must create a plan now to address this significant need when we come to the close of the Bold New Step commitments in two years.

Our growth rate invites us to begin thinking ahead so we can develop plans about our staffing patterns, our financial commitments, our facility development, our missional outreach, and the overall vision that will motivate and lead us into the future. This is a leadership task that rests with our Church Council and out entire leadership team. But we all know that this is a conversation that will significantly touch (and bless) all of our lives. Let me tell you straight out, Sue and I are all in.

The annual report of the pastor should also include a statement regarding continuing education and personal growth goals. In the last year I participated in our Wall of Cedar Worship Conference, our Missional Leadership Conference, and I am a part of a study / growth group with our district Missional Leaders project. I will be making the missional trip to Haiti in November as a part of my personal renewal plan. I have also added my 2011 Personal Rule of Life as an appendix to this document.

This is much too long but I wanted to share these thoughts with you. I cherish your conversation and input as we move forward. Remember, in the end, everything points to Jesus and Jesus always points us to other people as we discover new ways to be the obedient servants of God.

Yours in Christ

Randy Jessen

Personal Rule of Life

Randy Jessen

2011

Inward Disciplines

1. Morning prayer and meditation seeking God’s will for my personal and professional life.

2. Daily prayer for family, staff, lay leadership, and general intercession.

3. Daily study of the Scriptures that are outside teaching and preaching responsibilities.

4. Be obedient to the hours . (9 ~ 12 ~ 6)

Outward Disciplines

1. Seek increased ways to simplify life style in accordance with the Gospel.

2. Set aside specific time of solitude outside designated time for personal prayer.

3. Continue serving through Walk to Emmaus and Chrysalis.

4. Work to develop a strong positive missional relationship with the Methodist Church in Costa Rica

Continuing Education Goals

1. Participate in at least one major conference related to congregational life, preaching or leadership.

2. Participate in the August Leadership Summit.

3. Create a continuing education event for pastors and lay leaders related to prayer and spiritual formation.

4. Read at least one new book each week related to leadership, spiritual formation, church development, stewardship, or vision.

Service Goals

1. Board of Ordained Ministry for the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference

2. Availability for relational conversations with pastors in and beyond the area

3. Asbury Theological Seminary through teaching, dissertation mentor, stewardship, and student development / support

Personal Goals

1. Ride at least 1000 bicycle miles on Old Blue in 2011

2. Ride two century days in 2011

3. Stay in touch with my physical health through indoor / outdoor riding, time at the fitness center, and healthy eating habits

Circle of Love ~ Saturday April 23, 2011

2011-04-23T07:59:00.000-06:00

Saturday April 23 Matthew 27:57-66 Easter Eggs for children! 10:00 AM

Today is the last of our 40 days in the Circle of Love sequence. I rejoice in your faithfulness and celebrate what God has been doing among us. I pray that your commitment to Scripture and prayer has been a blessing to you. Now, there is just one more day! I hope you will join us for Easter worship...6:30 Sunrise on the Wilson 'front yard'...8:00 ~9:30~11:00 in our newly updated sanctuary. If you can not join the Wilson community...please be a part of a faith community in your neighborhood!

One last Lenten reading: Please read the Gospel passage from Matthew 27:57-66. Read it slowly. Let it sink deeply into your spirit.

The cross has accomplished its purpose. The tomb has been prepared. The body has been wrapped. The guard has been posted. And the stone has been sealed. It is time to wait. We are invited to wait in a spirit of reflection. Wait. Faithfully wait. Easter is coming!

Circle of Love ~ Friday April 22, 2011

2011-04-22T07:52:00.000-06:00

Friday April 22 John 13:36-38

Good Friday Worship 6:30 tonight in the Wilson Worship Center

Quiet your heart today as we gather at the foot of the cross. Consider this brief (yet powerful) interaction between Jesus and Peter. Remember, Jesus is about to walk the streets of Jerusalem carrying his own cross of crucifixion. He is about to give his life for the world.

At first, Peter is eager to follow Jesus…he is willing to lay down his own life. Then we hear the potent words of Jesus that remind us that the rooster will crow three times as a reminder of Peter’s denial. As you choose your method of fasting I pray that it will allow you the blessing of being reminded of the times when the rooster has crowed in your life.

It is a powerful moment that will ultimately be reconciled and transformed at the empty tomb on Easter morning. Peter will race John to the tomb to find that Jesus is alive and discover that his heart has been forgiven.

Today is a day to bring your own heart to the foot of the cross. Maybe you will hear Jesus say, “Come! Follow me!” What will you do?