Preacher Cox

I'm Tired of Practicing

2010-08-23T14:08:00.000-04:00

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

James 1:22 (NIV)

I do a lot of driving everyday. I do more driving than a typical pastor commuting back and forth to the church. On any given day, I am in the car at least an hour a day. That gives me a lot of time to listen to the radio.

Typically, I am listening to sports talk radio. I enjoy all kinds of sports, so keeping up with conversations that are sports related are of interest to me. Couple that with my interest in the three major sports teams in Western Pennsylvania, and it makes for good listening.

I listen to sports talk quite a bit, and therefore I often think in sports metaphors and have been found to use them as I speak. Naturally, if someone else uses a sport’s cliché or metaphor in conversation, it might cause me to tilt my head in interest.

During a recent conversation, I heard someone describing another individual by saying that he/she was “not a practicing Christian.” I know what that means, so I didn’t have to ask the person to describe what they thought it meant. People often use that to describe individuals who are not “actively involved” in their congregation or that they don’t go to church but claim to have a faith in a higher being. Sometimes people use the statement that someone is not “religious.”

(I will leave the whole conversation about being whether you can have an active faith if you are not actively involved in worship, for another day. Suffice it to say, “being a good person” isn’t going to get it done.)

What caught my attention was this phrase, “practicing Christian.” Again, people use this phrase to describe those who don’t come to church regularly, if at all. However, as it was said, I began to think about this idea of being a practicing Christian, even when it is used to describe those of us who come to church several times a month. Not only did I think about it, I came up with a conclusion.

All of us should be more than just practicing Christians! Here’s why.

Practice suggests that you are doing it at half speed. Since we are still in pre-season for both college and professional football, I will suggest that practicing means that you are sometimes only going through the motions. You run though plays, either with others, or you practice them in your mind. But practice doesn’t involve real contact. Sometimes practice means that you don’t even use pads. (Work with me here – I know that sometimes during the week, they do use pads.)

Practice suggests that you are simply looking at game film. Practice means that you are still learning. Practice means that sometimes others will come in and take your place. Practice means that you can go over to the sidelines when you want to take a break (as so many of you have done this summer)

When I was little, I loved to play little league baseball. I looked forward to baseball most of the year. I loved everything about playing baseball. But to be truthful with you, I wasn’t really looking forward to practice at all. I loved to play the game. I wanted to get dirty, I wanted the full action. I wanted to play at game speed, when things really mattered.

Actually, practice isn’t inherently evil. In fact, it is necessary, even for those who play the game. And just because you’re playing doesn’t mean that you don’t have to practice too.

The book of James talks a lot about the difference between hearing and doing. James is talking about taking our faith and taking it to another level. It is not enough to simply listen and have faith if the faith isn’t doing anything. It isn’t enough to simply believe in God and believe that you are saved by grace through that faith. You must also go and do.

A pastor in our connection has said, “The world will see the relevancy of the Gospel when the people of Jesus fully embrace and live the biblical mandate to live like Jesus. John Wesley called it the demonstration of “social holiness.”” (Mike Slaughter, Change the World)

Sunday morning is for “practice.” It is the day for us to come to worship, to hear God’s Word spoken and proclaimed. Some of you meet in small groups to grapple with the play book a little bit. But after that, if you don’t put that playbook into action on the mission field, its like you are just going through the motions. When James writes that we must stop merely listening and do what it says, it means that we must go out and do all the things that the Gospel proclaims, up to and including sharing that Good News with others so that they can join the team.

The time has come for this church to stop “practicing.” We have to begin to put the words into action and become the hands and feet of Christ. That's what it means to be a Disciple of Christ.

When I was a kid, I remember hearing a song played around the baseball field. The song was by John Fogerty and it was entitled “Centerfield.” Its message was simple. “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play today. I can be centerfield.”

I don’t know about you, but I am ready to play. I’m tired of practicing and I’m ready for the regular season to start. I am looking forward to seeing you come back from the “off-season” as we share not only the message, but the work of Christ on the field.

See you at the game!

Pastor Greg

Reflections on a "Leafy Branch"

2010-02-28T16:14:00.003-05:00

During Lent, I am doing a sermon series entitled "Seven Days and Counting." The intention of the series is to focus on a life giving week at the end of Jesus' ministry. Without the week, we would have no resurrection. Without the death, there would be no resurrection. Simple, right?

Today, I focused on the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. I did it today in order to place emphasis on all the days of the week, especially on his death later in Lent. I really wanted to focus on one thing, and that was our praise of Christ. I think we did that in worship.

However, I made a mistake. I bought palms. I did it intentionally knowing that the whole act of Palm Sunday was being played out in our music and worship. However, I realized today that had I not brought in the palms, it would have played out. Message given, message received.

The problem is that our human capacity to understand the day is so wrapped up in this simple leafy branch that we seem to place more emphasis on the palms than the day or the message. We place more emphasis on the branch than we do on the reason that we are waving it in the first place. I had more questions about why we were handing our palms (which I fully expected) and why we wouldn't be doing it on the sixth Sunday of Lent.

I think we've actually made an idol out of this palm! The palm has become more important than our relationship with Christ and our ability to praise and worship him, allowing him to enter our lives.

I wish I had thought about that a little more. If so, I wouldn't have even brought the palms into the worship service. The message could have been simple. "As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise god joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen." Luke 19:37

Next year, I might be doing Entry on Palm Sunday, but I might also be rethinking palms.

When Life Gets in the Way

2010-02-23T12:22:00.001-05:00

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

Last week, I admitted to some folks that I was completely unprepared for Lent this year. Psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually unprepared is probably a best description. I had programs in place, people lined up, and events planned – but largely, I was unprepared.

I’ve been saying recently that life sometimes gets in the way. Things happen that cause us to become distracted or sidetracked from our journey or spiritual disciplines. Just the other day, I spent a good amount of time bashing icicles from our building. Two days later I was doing the same thing from our parsonage. I wasn’t doing it just for the thrill of it (although it can be rather cathartic), but I was concerned about leaks and damage, insurance, and all the stuff that goes along with freezing water.

Life was getting in the way. If I were to leave a place for you here to describe all the ways in which life got in the way for you, there would be plenty of space and items that we could list. Doctors visits, medication dosages, bad news, car wrecks with deer (yeah, that was me again), job concerns, mortgage payments . . . you name it and it would be an example of how life gets in the way of our discipleship.

Life getting in the way of our discipleship is probably the single most important reason for us to observe Lent. Lent is a time for us to refocus ourselves on the things that are above and refocus our attention on our relationship with Christ.

I like those words from Paul, “seek the things that are from above.” It is a reminder that we must intentionally turn our attention to the things that are from above. It’s an admission that it is not easy – it takes work. Repentance for the forgiveness of sins takes an intentional change, or redeployment of your entire being. Above all things, Paul reminds us that we should do it with love, letting the peace of Christ rule in your heart.

There is a passage that I often read that reminds me that we should not worry so much about the earthly things. I think you’ve heard it before. “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will ring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” I think those words of Jesus should be a reminder that we shouldn’t let life get in the way of our relationship with God and most importantly with the sustaining love of Christ.

Going To Great Lenghts

2009-09-26T19:22:00.003-04:00

Today I went with some friends and the girls to go see something spectacular. We drove over 300 miles just to see some Elk. It was raining out, and a perfect day to take a drive. We drove even though there was no guarantee that we would see or even hear them.

When we got to the lookout, off in the distance was a spectacular bull and several cow elk. We spent some time just watching in amazement. After some time, we left that lookout to venture to another. While we didn't see any at the other vantage point, it was good just to see the range and habitat of the elk.

Because the other location offered the best vantage point from which to see the elk, we returned, and was I glad that we did. Faintly in the distance, I could hear a most spectacular sound - the sound of a bull elk calling (bugle). As we told the kids to stop and listen, we watched and waited as the elk moved and spoke in the distance.

I imagine that some would think it odd to drive that far with only the possibility of seeing. But I wonder how many would even try to stop and listen.

Are we the same about our faith? Are we unwilling to travel to great lengths to just get the glimpse of our Lord and listen for the voice of God? I'm glad that I did - and I'm glad that the girls were there to hear.

"For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice!" Psalm 95:7

Not in my backyard (church)!

2009-08-14T09:55:00.002-04:00

It was announced last night that Michael Vick has signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. For those of you who don't follow sports, Michael Vick is a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback who was convicted and jailed on Dog fighting charges. He has since been released from jail and been working on a comeback to the NFL.

A lot of theological language has been used to describe how people should view the situation. And yet, in the midst of the story is much controversy. Should a person who has been convicted of such a heinous crime be given a second chance?

I found myself asking such questions and even going as far as saying that he should be offered another chance, "but not on my team." I have a lot of sports reasons for that, but I wonder if they are founded in sports or some other deep seeded thoughts.

Do we do that in the church? Do we think that people should be offered bread, but not in my backyard? Do we believe in justice, but just not here? Do we believe in redemption, salvation, reconciliation, and even grace - but just on our terms?

I see a lot of churches (and pastors) claim that they believe a lot of things, but they don't always play out that way. I believe in the "forgiveness of sins," so will I practice it on my field of play?

Manage Differently

2009-08-11T10:35:00.004-04:00

Last Thursday's Leadership Summit started off quickly. Bill Hybels set the stage for the Summit and some of the conversations by talking about the new reality of leadership and the world. All of us are leading in a new reality, and one that may be with us for a very long time. Our old reality may be just that, an old reality, and one to which we may never return.

Economies, thoughts, spending, societal expectations, and church are all changing. In spite of that new reality, we must lead.

That morning didn't slow down. Gary Hamel shared a dynamic dialogue on managing in this new reality, and offered encouragement for leaders and churches to adapt.

To say that the morning didn't slow could be an understatement. Hamel's delivery was quick, yet direct. Try as I might, I couldn't get every word down, although I felt as if everything that was said was targeted and thought provoking.

Maybe that's what made the point - our world is changing, and much quicker than institutions are adapting. His opening question was simple, "are you changing as fast as the culture around you?"

While his message centered on the fact that our world is becoming more turbulent faster than our organizations are becoming resilient, he offered us some thoughts on how businesses as well as churches can think about leading from the edge of those changes.

Outrun Change. Don't take refuge in denial that change is happening. Confront the realities of the world around us and the churches we serve. Face the facts head on and question your practices. He was clear that we should not question our core beliefs and creedal systems, but that how we live out of them must continue to be questioned. Hamel encouraged us to listen to the renegades.
Generate strategic options. Make change look cooler than standing still.
Deconstruct what we believe, ask questions and compare yourself with others. Don't be in the business of replicating what is happening down the street, but attempt to brand yourself. If there is a program that doesn't work or hasn't changed, ask why.

Hamel pointed out several businesses and organizations that have done exactly what he was advocating, noting that without change and adaptation, these companies would have been gone decades ago. For me, it was a nice connection to Jim Collins book, How the Mighty Fall.

One of the most powerful statements for me reminded me of how easy it is to be comfortable. I continue to think about it and wonder if I'm not living in this situation. Hamel said, "The longer you are in a trench, the easier it is to mistake the edge of your rut as the horizon." He likened the places that we reside as quite often ruts that are hard to get out of. We need to focus on getting out of those ruts so that we can be on a smoother path to meet the needs of those around us.

Maybe what we need, Hamel suggested, was a good healthy dose of "unorganized religion." We need to deconstruct the patterns and behaviors that are continuing to set us behind the curve of society and commit ourselves to mobilize, connect, and support one another.

Sometimes there is a disconnect between business and leadership models, and the church. In the past, I've sometimes felt as if "faculty" at the Summit would burden themselves to make the leap and try to connect the two. It feels awkward and forced. I didn't feel that way with Hamel who was able to use his business experinece as a way of thinking about leadership in the church.

I am looking forward to diving into Hamel's book, The Future of Management. Hopefully, I will be able to pick up some of the details that were missed by this fast paced and dynamic look at the future of leadership in a changing society.

Thoughts on a "Flabby Mind"

2009-08-10T13:09:00.002-04:00

Last week, I was privileged attend a video cast of the Willow Creek Leadership Summit at the Orchard Hill Church in Wexford. I enjoy the Summit’s format because it changes the delivery of the message throughout. Sometimes there are conversations, other times interviews, and other times classic lecture styled delivery.

On Friday, Bill Hybels was interviewing David Gergen. Gergen is a political analyst for CNN and PBS, as well as a noted leader and advisor to four of our past Presidents. He is currently the Professor of Public Service at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and carries with him a lifetime of practical leadership thoughts.

Maybe it was my political science background or it could have been the interview forum, but I really enjoyed this conversation. They talked a lot about practical leadership skills and principles, leadership styles, and even dabbled in communication. They also talked about being a “reflective practitioner” or being the kind of leader who doesn’t simply lead, but also takes time to reflect, learn, and grow.

Being a “reflective practitioner” is why I think I enjoy the Summit so much. It causes me to reflect on myself and my leadership sometimes more than other things can. This year’s Summit came at a time when I needed to do a little self reflecting as well as some continuing education.

As Hybels and Gergen continued their conversation that morning, they began to talk about personal habits. Responding to whether or not leaders need to be up at 5 a.m and in the office before anyone else, Gergen noted that the type of habit or routine was not as important as the self-discipline that goes along with one’s daily routines. He used the example of Churchill taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon. The nap wasn’t a liability, but part of the routine for Churchill.

Gergen made it clear that personal habits and self-discipline are very important in leadership. One’s health was also part of that self-discipline. Being physically fit and healthy allows us to endure the hard tests when they come.

Gergen continued by saying, “Those who let their bodies go flabby will often let their minds go flabby.” Realizing that this is not an absolute statement and a generalization – it resonated with ME.

It resonated with me because as I reflect on my past, the times that I am less healthy, or gaining weight, or struggling physically, I am most often also struggling mentally, spiritually, and intellectually. When I am at my best and sometimes at my worst, there is a direct relationship, a correlation between the mind the body and the spirit of my soul. Three years ago, I was at my greatest weight, and possibly at one of my lowest points intellectually. I was feeding my stomach, and starving my mind.

There have also been times when I am pouring out every fiber of myself in leading. I may be sharp, but the physical side begins to take its toll.

But the other part of reflecting is the realization that I am not always at my sharpest, even if I am healthy physically. I must be aware of my overall health and self-discipline on a regular basis making sure that my habits are all in check. I can’t neglect any one part of it, or I won’t be ready for the hard tests. I have to be whole in Mind, body, and Spirit.

Just because I am reading, doesn’t mean that I can have that entire sleeve of Oreo’s.

“So, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance.”

What's the Difference Between the Y and the Church?

2009-05-12T14:03:00.003-04:00

. . . practically nothing.

Most of you know that I go to the YMCA quite frequently. With few exceptions, I go at 6:00 in the morning 5 days a week and quite often on Saturdays too. I have a routine to not only my week, but my days. Certain days I go to the locker rooms, while other times I simply put my things in a small locked box. There are machines that I work on, there are classes that I take, there are lanes that I swim in routinely, and there are faces there that I know. I’m not the only one with that routine. If I were to take you with me, I could almost definitely point out specifics about people and their tasks and habits.

I have a routine when it comes to church too. But I’m sure that you do as well. Every day when I look out at you, I can tell if you’ve been there based upon where you sit. Now, there are some of you who like to mix things up – but for the most part, I know where you sit. You come in through the same door each week, you speak to the same people, you read the bulletin, you park in the same place, and you leave through the same door. I know which songs you will sing and which ones will challenge you, I know who falls asleep, and who doodles during the sermons.

The YMCA has a message and a purpose. The church has a message and a purpose. The gym has regular attendees, as does the church. There are guests, there are opportunities; there are those who participate, there are those who don’t. There are people who like to make “suggestions” in both places

But if there’s practically no difference between the gym and the church, why do people routinely greet one another while they somehow bristle at the opportunity in the church.

The other day as I was finishing my swim, I engaged in conversation with someone. I was curious about a piece of equipment that he was using – so I talked to him. It wasn’t more than a few sentences in before he stopped, apologized and said, “I know we’ve seen each other around for the last few years, but I don’t think we’ve been introduced.” I concurred, introduced myself.

Last week, during a class in the morning, someone new came into our class. While I had been away for several weeks during Lent he had been attending, but had not recently. Standing next to me he too said, “I don’t think we’ve met.”

In recent months, I’ve been invited to different activities and classes by other members, I’ve been asked about events and standings, I’ve had conversations about “spiritual” things (yes, many people know that I’m a pastor). And within each of those circumstances, I often reflect about our willingness as a church to do the same.

Now, I know that there are some of you who do everything that you can to welcome and invite. However, I also know that there are many of you who fear the very thought. How many times have you ever used the excuse, “I’ve seen that person so long now, I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t know.” “I’ve asked before, and I’ve forgotten – I’m embarrassed.”

And I also know that we are often afraid of asking others to join in an activity that we’ve got down to a T. Sometimes we’re afraid that an additional hand will spoil the broth.

We’ve been talking a lot recently about the need for authentic relationships. These relationships can lead to conversations and lead to changed lives. But how can we share the message without the relationship? How can we begin a relationship that is honest and authentic without reaching across the aisle and greeting one another in the peace of Christ, and introducing ourselves by name?

“Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:1-2

One simple statement caused me to write these words, “I know we’ve seen each other around for the last few years, but I don’t think we’ve been introduced.” I’d be missing out on a new person this week had we not greeted one another, and I might just have missed an angel in my presence.

While the Y and the Church are similar, they are different. Our message is different and that’s where the power lies. But quite often the message is lost in the church because we lack the relationships that lead to those spiritual conversations.

I’ll be the first to admit to you, introducing yourself to someone you think you should know can be an awkward experience, but so is missing the opportunity to share in Christ’s presence. Take some time to welcome the stranger in your midst this week, you will be blessed.

“Why would they treat that man like a dog?”

2009-04-21T11:20:00.000-04:00

Just the other day, we were catching up on the sports world in our daily dose of ESPN. It was on this day that SportsCenter was reporting on the previous day’s celebration of the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson. Everywhere in major league baseball, players wore the number 42 in commemoration and in celebration of Jackie Robinson.

Many of you may remember the day, I only remember the story. But on April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. He will be remembered, not only as a great ball player in his own right, but as the person who put up with all manor of behavior, most of which is unspeakable, just to play the game he loved. Up until his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, baseball had been segregated. At that time in the United States, many white people believed that blacks and whites should be kept apart in many aspects of life, including sports.

If you place this event into a timeline, Robinson's entrance into the National League in 1947 came a year before the President desegregated our military, and seven years before the Supreme Court ruled desegregation in public schools was unconstitutional in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education.

As Tracy and I watched that morning, we noted that Jackie Robinson exposed the world to the issue of race with grace and poise. He could have been quite resentful about the time that he did not spend in the big leagues, but instead loved the game and even offered grace to those who reviled and persecuted him.

As Sports Illustrated's Bill Nack wrote: "Robinson was the target of racial epithets and flying cleats, of hate letters and death threats, of pitchers throwing at his head and legs, and catchers spitting on his shoes(ESPN.com)." Tracy then noted, “He was treated like a dog!”

Our six year old only heard one phrase that morning. Her bagel was more important and made more sense than words like prejudice, racism and color barrier. But what did make sense to her was someone being treated poorly. “Why would they treat that man like a dog?” she asked innocently and curiously. “Because of the color of his skin, sweetie,” we tried to explain. To which she responded, “Why would somebody treat him like a dog for their skin?” Good question, my dear, good question.

My kids don’t understand racism. They don’t understand, and I hope for quite some time, why someone is treated differently. Racism is a difficult concept to describe to children, but it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist.

Racism can be defined as any action, attitude, or practice that subordinates an individual or group of persons based upon skin color or ethnicity. It can be enacted individually, culturally, systemically, or institutionally. It can be conscious or unconscious.

Unfortunately, because we “celebrate” broken color lines; we’ve elected a minority as President of the United States; and our children don’t understand racism; some erroneously believe that racism is no longer a problem in America.

Even more unfortunate is the reality that racism does exist and it must be something for which we stand against as a church. The gospels support that mandate, not in words about color, but about how we are to treat all individuals with love, respect, dignity, and affirmation.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like the first, that you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Those familiar words from Matthew 22 remind us that our relationship with a loving God demands that we treat others as equals. Yes, we are different, but we are all chosen and precious in the sight of God.

I once had a professor at Allegheny College who during our class entitled; “Black Culture and Black Radicalism” admit that he was a “recovering racist.” To our initial unbelief, he explained that racism is something that we have to fight every day of our lives. He grew up in the south during a time of segregation. He had seen things that are often unspeakable. To be prejudicial and participate in a racist society comes quite easy for us as white Americans. But just as some fight everyday from addictions, he also fights the feelings and the sentiments that are exhibited in racist belief and behavior.

Consciously and unconsciously, racism exists. And it is something from which we must be delivered. I pray that God would speak to us in these moments of Easter and Pentecost – that God’s mighty Spirit might break through the lines that separate us and bring us to a place of wholeness and life in the Risen Christ.

Looking to the Heavens

2009-04-01T21:27:00.004-04:00

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Ps 19.

(The following is a guest post from my 10 year old daughter)

The only thing that went wrong when I was at the Star Gazing Party behind McKnight Elementary was that I was wearing short shorts. I saw Saturn, the Moon, and the Orion Nebula. it was amazing and I enjoyed every single bit of it. When I looked at the stars and the planets I thought of God, I thought of him because he created all of the stars and planets! It's just a spectacular sight and there's no way any of these memories will leave me! You just have to see what I mean.

No one asked, but . . .

2009-03-30T13:12:00.005-04:00

I have had some time to think about some things over the past few days. I've been processing those thoughts and think its just time to put it down in writing.

The other night, I was without kids and my wife was away, so I thought I'd take a ride. I went out of my way to a store that happened to be closed by the time I arrived. However, I realized that I was close to a newer mall in our area, why not go to a store there.

Upon my arrival, I decided to check out a store front that once held a new church start in our Annual Conference. The Conference abandoned the site last fall for a number of reasons. That is not the purpose of this rambling, at least I don't think so.

I walked around the mall, and to my deepest surprise, another congregation had occupied the space that we had abandoned. I have to tell you that my range of emotion was varied from resentment, to disappointment, to celebration, and even righteous indignation. I celebrate the power of God's truth and our need to spread the message. We have to be about building God's kingdom, so most of that was not directed at the "other church," but toward my own.

I posed a simple question. "Why is our conference failing where others are succeeding?" And further, "if we take so much stock in building the church in natural ways, why are we not seeking to do more to build new places for new people."

I keep asking more and more questions. I am hoping that some of these questions will lead to more questions that will lead to some answers some day.

But . . .Why are we not using multi-site models in our local churches. Why are we not getting people excited about meeting the needs of others by planting new places for new people?

. . . .Why are we not celebrating and modeling the places in our annual conference that are doing that very thing?

. . . ..Why do we continue to put more stock in the feelings of those occupying space in a pulpit over the needs of those persons whose needs are not being met by those pastors?

. . . .Why are we not creating new places within our existing congregations? If the people are not equipped, we need leadership to be bold and ask for space within those spaces.

I think we've done enough talking about decline and we need to talk about the real opportunities that exist to provide relevant, indigenous, authentic, relative, sustainable and powerful ministry that build relationships with others and with Jesus Christ. It's time that we develop strategies that will be ready for the next opportunity. It's time that we start building the kingdom, one person, one church, one leader, and one follower at a time.

Sleepwalking through Lent

2009-03-27T12:04:00.005-04:00

For some reason this morning, I woke up feeling ambivalent about Lent. The only way that I could describe what I was feeling was to say that I felt like I was sleepwalking through Lent.

Tracy and I talked about it at breakfast this morning. I explained that it felt as if the more removed we became from Duke and our "Liturgical Worship Education" the less I felt strongly about a strict adherence to the Season of Lent.

We had an awesome conversation. We shared the importance of the season and our love for the liturgical and lectionary cycles. We talked about the power of the message and the opportunity for really moving through a period of repentance and forgiveness. But, I still felt a little numb.

Maybe it was the busyness, maybe it was the opportunities that I had chosen, maybe it was the fact that I wasn't preaching this weekend, or maybe it was a combination of them all.

We then talked about the fact that maybe it isn't so much that the season has lost it's power, but the church has lost its ability to find a true expression of the season through its application. I take some personal responsibility in that at least in my most current setting, but I think the church has a lot of work to do.

In order to be relevant and timely, we have got to find a way to express the power of a changed life through the life and grace of Christ. This is not a once a year gig - but something we have to do all year. If all we do during Lent is put on another dinner and attract those who are already here - than we're missing an opportunity. If Lent is to be a time of conversion, maybe we have to do more to give opportunities for relationship building throughout the year, so that when these seasons do arrive, we would have opportunity for catechises. WE have got to rethink how we are followers of Christ and be that expression in the world.

I think Lent has become something for those on the inside, and that's probably what disturbs me the most. Next year . . . no, next week, I'm going to begin to seek new ways of being the church. It has to start now, so that next year I won't feel the same way.

I think that I'm just tired of going through the motions right now. Maybe that's my act of confession!

Tithing as a response to God's Love

2009-03-23T12:22:00.002-04:00

April 15th is one of those dates that come around every year. I know that it is coming, and yet at the same time when I think of it, I get a little nauseous in the pit of my stomach. I start to worry about how much I will owe, how much I will have to tighten my belt, and what we will be forced to lose in the weeks following our return.

Early estimates this year tell me that we are going to owe good old Uncle Sam about $1,200. This is directly related to that “stimulus package” that we received last year. It’s complicated – but let’s just say that as a self-employed tax payer by IRS standards, this was more than just an advance to a return. Because we estimate our taxes each year, it really wasn’t an advance on anything.

That initial shock of that number sent chills down my spine, but that won’t linger. I have a calm assurance that we will be ok and that God will provide me with what I need when I need it in order to pay.

Tracy and I tithe our income. If I do some quick math, I could simply withhold that tithe to the church for about two months and I could make up that payment to the government. We could – but we won’t. I won’t do that because I believe that giving and tithing is a response to God’s faithfulness in my life. I will continue to give, because I know that God continues to supply me with everything that I need. It won’t be easy, but I will do it out of faith.

What I owe to the tax man is only one example of what I owe, it is only one example of what you owe. But I believe that tithing, giving a first share, giving 10% of my earnings, is an act of faith. When I give first, everything else has a way of working out.

Tithing causes us to make priorities on our spending. My discipline is really to give my tithe first so that the control must come later. I don’t give out of what I have left over, but what I have first to give. It is an act of obedience; it is an act of faith.

In these difficult economic times, the hardest thing that you might have to do would be to tithe. But have you tried it? Maybe this is exactly the time in your life when you need a little discipline for your spending, a little obedience, and an act of faith. Even though on April 15th, I am going to be cutting a check for $1,200 to the United States Treasury, I am also going to be writing a check for $175 for the work of God in my life.

Scriptures tell us, ““Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.””

Now hear me out. I think you should try it too! In order to really get through these difficult times, why don’t you put complete trust in God and try to tithe just for a week, just for month, just for 6 months? See if God won’t just throw those gates open and pour out a blessing on you.

I actually saw the sun today!

2009-01-29T16:12:00.002-05:00

After what seems like several weeks, I finally saw the sun today. I was flying out of the lovely city of Pittsburgh to a training event in Jacksonville. But I saw the sun after only being in the air for minutes.

I don't think I'll ever cease to be amazed at the beauty of all of creation. As we quickly flew through the cloud deck that hovered over the greater Pittsburgh area, the sun was there bright as ever.

As we were ascending to our cruising altitude, I actually caught myself noting how warm the sun was as it came streaming through the window! I said a quick prayer of thanksgiving for the Sun and everything that it is for us. I was quickly energized, warmed and thankful.

Groundhog day is coming soon, and so is spring. With it are the many days when the cold and snow of winter will yield a mystery. I love the seasons, but I am really looking forward to seeing that sun more often.

Ticking away, the moments that make up a dull day

2008-12-30T12:28:00.001-05:00

Do you ever feel that you could use a little more time in your day? Our lives have become so hectic, that it has been said that our 24/7 lives have now turned into 48/7. We are constantly on the go, and it is hard to slow down sometimes.

Have you ever thought about what you would do if you were given more time? Maybe it wouldn’t be adding to your day, but maybe if you could be given a break or an extra hour, have you ever thought about what you would do with it? I imagine that most of us would simply do more of the same. Our days are so busy and hectic, some people feel as if they need more time.

Well, I have it for you; more time! But don’t get too excited.

This morning I heard on the news that this year, the people who operate the “world’s clock” are adding some time to our day tomorrow. Those who try to regulate the world’s clock are trying to make a more accurate count based upon the earth’s rotation, seasons, etc.

So, they are adding a second to the clock! They call it a leap second.

No, you aren’t getting one more minute per hour or even 24 more minutes to your day. Just one second! So spend that second wisely.

I find all of that talk interesting from a science perspective, but so inconsequential that it is almost beyond our need. Theologically speaking, however, isn’t it interesting that we must rely on some scientists who sit in a room that must rely on something that is much greater than them – the atom – in order to regulate the clock.

I thought a lot about that as I read Psalm 8 this morning. It is the reading for a New Year’s Watch service. It talks about a sovereign God whose glory is set high above the heavens. That sovereign God is the one who in his love rules over all of our lives and has providentially given us all things – including time.

I hope that over the next few days, you are given some time to given thanks to the one who gives us all time. Give thanks for the year that has past, and the year that is to come. For in it, we are given much by the God of creation.

Please be safe over the next few days, and I look forward to greeting you in worship this weekend.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

No Brett, I was not wearing a Rainbow Wig!

2008-12-23T13:34:00.001-05:00

Have you ever wondered why certain people hold up signs during a sporting event that simply reads, John 3:16?

I used to think that when I was younger. I may still wonder about the particular person who is holding the sign now, but I think I've come to some conclusions about why they do what they do.

I saw something recently that reinforced the answer to my question and the answer that I thought I had. On Sunday, I remember seeing "Hebrews 11" printed on a sign. I have my opinions as to why someone would do hold up a sign like that. I guess it's because if anyone really doesn't know the answer to what is printed, they are likely to go and seek out the answer. (I'm not going to give you the answer - you may have to look it up.)

It got me - I thought I knew the answer, but I looked it up just to be sure on Sunday.

Today, I was in the local "Five Dollar Footlong" eating establishment. I was wearing a sweatshirt that Tracy made this year. It has a candle and some evergreens hand painted on the front breast pocket area. Mine is a much smaller version of the sweatshirts that the girls have. But under the candle and evergreen, is the verse Isaiah 9:2. I guess Tracy could have put the words, but she chose to simply put the chapter and verse.

And I'm glad she did. Because after I paid for my half of a five dollar sub, I was asked the question. What's Isaiah 9:2?

It was a great question! And I was happy to give the answer.

Don't know it - I invite you to come to Christmas Eve Worship to find out. I hope you are well. I hope that you continue to ask good questions during Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Please pray for me and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

16 Days until Christmas! Like we need any more pressure!

2008-12-09T15:06:00.001-05:00

My Children have one of those classic before-Christmas-paper-chains, from which they count down to the event of events, Christmas. Each day, one of the children removes one of the links in the chain as a reminder that Christmas is getting closer. It is somewhat of a secular reminder that Christmas is just around the corner. Advent Calendars serve much of the same purpose for us within the church.

Sometimes, I think that it is defeating its purpose. I think that the purpose of the Advent Calendar and the aforementioned paper chain is to prepare oneself for Christmas, to be reminded that Christmas is coming. But often times it serves as an incendiary device in our home. There is always a battle for who tore the last link; whose turn it is this time; and, a written agreement in principle for who will be the one to rip the next link.

In spite of the bellicose nature by which the link is fractured, I am sure of one thing: Christmas is only 16 days away.

So, if the tension by which my information was garnered is not enough to make me a bit tense, I’m sure the mere fact that there are only 16 days until Christmas is enough to make me a bit unsettled. In those 16 days, there is so little time, and so much to do. The list keeps growing, and the days only become shorter. Christmas is coming.

Take a deep breath!

I had a conversation with some folks this morning who were asked to consider the question, “What will you DO in the coming weeks to become a more fully devoted follower of Christ?” We noted that the word “do” was capitalized, just as it is above. It brought with it the very strong connotation that in order to be a follower of Christ – you had to DO something. It made us feel less likely to want to “do” anything. “Doing” only added to the things that we are expected to “do,” feel as if we need to “do,” and know that ultimately we will have to “do” in the coming weeks.

Our conclusion was that we might be better served at simply trying to “BE” more fully devoted followers of Christ. And I think we were onto something.

Christmas is only 16 days away, and I hope that you don’t lose the true meaning of this season in the midst of everything that you have to “DO.” I encourage you to simply “BE.”

This week’s epistle lesson is a good reminder. The writer says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24.

That will be my prayer for you this week!

In Worship this Sunday, our children will be sharing a story entitled “’Twas the Year Before Christmas.” I will also be sharing a very brief message entitled, “Who will it be?” I hope that you will be a more fully devoted follower of Christ and invite someone to experience the wonder of Children and God’s Word. Stay following worship for a fellowship meal and share in God’s grace. I look forward to greeting you personally.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Growing Children

2008-11-24T11:58:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I think that the growing church is like a growing ten year old child. They always want to blame someone else for their jeans shrinking!

Always a first time

2008-11-17T10:10:00.004-05:00

The Steelers posted an 11-10 win over the dreaded San Diego Chargers yesterday at Ketchup Field yesterday. It was the first 11-10 decision in nearly 13,000 NFL games.

Just some mindless drivel on which to ponder on a snowy Monday morning.

I love my sister

2008-11-13T15:01:00.003-05:00

Only one person in the world still reads my blog. She keeps me accountable for my writing or the lack there of. I therefore will write a post today, my day off, even though I have nothing witty, entertaining, salient, intelligent or inappropriate to say.

I love you, Barb. You should post a picture of your new hair-do so that Brett can see that we both have beautiful curly hair!

Who's Buried in Grant's Tomb?

2008-10-29T12:00:00.002-04:00

I may be among the very few when I say this, but I like cemeteries. There is something about them that is both mysterious and hopeful. I enjoy them for their history, and I especially like them for their architecture.

Some thoughts come to mind when I think of cemeteries. I remember playing in one when I was a child. My brother and I went on a walk for several hours one afternoon when we were visiting my grandmother in New Jersey. We had a great day, exploring not only the Greenwood Cemetery but also Kiddy City, that day’s Toy’s-R-Us. We had fun until we were gone too long, my grandmother sent the Sheriff looking for us.

I think about some older cemeteries that I’ve visited over the years. When I was at Allegheny, I would visit a cemetery close to campus. Meadville has a fascinating old cemetery that actually was both a park and a burial ground at its inception. A former Supreme Court Justice, several former Allegheny Presidents, and some other notable figures are buried there. When I served in Titusville, I’d visit Woodlawn Cemetery. Woodlawn has oil tycoons, and even the grave of Ida Tarbell who wrote about some of them in her work on the Standard Oil Company.

I enjoy driving and even walking through cemeteries. It is fascinating to look at the markers, think about a person’s place in history, and even wonder about what would have been. Flags often mark the location of a fallen hero, sheep mark the location of small children lost far too early.

The evolution of burial practices is complex, and I should not dare attempt to distill it into one page. Unfortunately, much of what we think about, particularly this week is shrouded in fear. Halloween and the practices that surround it, often cause us to think about cemeteries as bad places. It takes us back to some of the medieval ethos that caused people to be gripped with fear. Far too often, they cause us to be fearful of death. Death in those times was often a threat used to discipline the living.

But part of the reason that I find some solace in a cemetery is because of my strong sense of hope that I find in our Christian faith. Cemeteries not only allow me to reflect upon those who have gone before me, history, and things of nostalgia, but also upon hope.

This Sunday, we remember those who have gone before us. We move past the fear of Halloween that our secular society clings to, and cling to something more lasting and more hopeful – and that is everlasting life. We celebrate life, we celebrate the saints of the church on All Saints Sunday.

Today, I’m thinking about those who have gone before us, not only from this year, but all those I have seen only through the words of a headstone. Some of them I know, some of them I have only heard of, most of them God knows. And as I remember, I remember the words of scripture that say, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain. But if it falls into the earth and dies, it will bear much fruit.”

In Christ, we will live again. And for that, I give God thanks.

I hope to see you in worship this week as I share a message entitled, “Unrevealed” and we share together in remembering those who have gone on to life eternal. Following our time of remembrance, we will share in communion. I hope you will join us for worship.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.

Amazing Worship

2008-10-21T12:47:00.001-04:00

Last week, most of us in Beaver Falls were listening to reports of the devastating loss of the Otterbein Church. Initial reports talked of damage, but it wasn’t long before most people realized that the structure that we call a church was totally destroyed by the fire.

Church is often thought of a place of worship. We talk a good game about a church being the people, but when it comes down to it, if you were to ask most people, they would probably describe a building if you ask them to define, “Church.”

Worship also causes us considerable difficulty when we try to define it and describe it. Ask one person to describe “traditional worship” and it will not always match the description of another’s. Descriptions of worship vary as much as flavors of soda. (And for those of you stuck on the word Soda – I’ll offer you the alternative “Pop.”)

Those thoughts lead me to a question that I have been pondering over the past week since the fire in Beaver Falls. Where and how do you worship? And of course, you know that leads me to a story.

This past week, I worshipped several times. I worshipped in a hall with about 150 people. I led worship in an Orthodox Sanctuary, I married a couple in what I would call worship, but in a converted warehouse, and I also worshipped in an historic church in the heart of Richmond Virginia on Sunday morning. But probably the most significant worship for me this week, took place on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Yes – you heard me correctly; On the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Last week before I left, I created a mix of Christian music and burned a CD for our trip. It had a variety of Christian songs on it, but mostly it was worship music. Along our journey to Virginia, we played the CD. Tracy and I were singing and talking about the words of many of the songs. We were lifting our hearts in praise and prayer as the miles rolled under the tires of our vehicle. Several times during those moments, I was even brought to tears through the words that were being offered in praise.

One of the songs entitled, Revelation Song, talks about the God of creation and the God of our salvation. It goes on to say that with all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings, You are my everything, and I will adore you.

But even more significant on that road were the words that spoke of being clothed in rainbows, of living color, flashes of lightning, and rolling thunder. As those words were being expressed and even heart felt, the brilliant colors of the rainbow were being drawn out before me in the deep colors of fall. The trees that rolled past us throughout the mountains of the Alleghenies could not have been more magnificent. Saying a prayer of Thanksgiving for the splendor that was unfolding before my eyes was truly a gift of worship for me.

So, yes! I had one of the most meaningful worship experiences this week – on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Psalm 100 reminds us: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100 doesn't say where or how, it just says, Worship. So, Yes – you can even worship on the turnpike. But sometimes we need to be the body of Christ, so don’t let vacation be your excuse to miss church on Sunday. I look forward to seeing you in worship!

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Just leave this long haired country boy alone!

2008-10-10T11:08:00.003-04:00

So, I'm driving back to the office this morning from Jamitch printing up on Darlington Road, and I'm listening to WDVE. It is a stray for me lately, becuase while I like music a lot, I love sports talk radio too. Anyway - I was listening, and a song came on by the Charlie Daniels Band. Great Song! Maybe you've heard it before. It has that capability of sticking in your head, and when you come up the stairs back to the office, your secretary looks at you like your nuts.

Long Haired Country Boy is the song. Look it up on iTunes if you don't know it.

The second verse got me thinking.

Preacher man talking on TV, puttin' down the rock and roll. Wants me to send a donation 'cause he's worried about my soul. He said, "Jesus walked on the water." And I know that it's true. But sometimes I think that preacher man would like to do a little walking too. But I ain't asking nobody for nothin' if I can't get it on my own. If you don't like the way I'm livin' you just leave this long haired country boy alone.

Now, I think that the line about preachers wanting to walk on water is a commentary on how the outside looks in and how there are a lot of preachers who have a Jesus complex and their arrogance has them believing that they can walk on water. It is a great verse. Why ask for people to change their lives if we are indeed just as bad.

But (and you knew this was coming), Shouldn't we all be water walking and doing a little of it ourselves. Not alone, in a way to say, "look at me," but in a way that is both inviting and engaging? There is that engage word again. Shouldn't we all be wanting to walk on water. Some food for thought.

"I Do!"

2008-10-07T12:08:00.000-04:00

In our Sunday School class, we are reading a wonderful book by John Ortberg entitled, “If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat.” It is a wonderful book and is causing us to think and talk about the spiritual boats in which all of us live, but also the ways in which we are called to get out of the boat and begin to serve God.

The premise of the book is the story from the Gospel of Matthew in which the writer recounts Jesus walking on water. In the midst of that story, Peter, the bombastic and often impetuous disciple is invited to come out of the boat. Jesus simply says, “Come,” and he comes.

Now we could go in so many different directions about how it all happened, what happened when Peter stepped out. We could talk about the storm, what led them to that place, and all other sorts of wonderful things. But what has really gotten me thinking is one simple word that relates not only to the book, but also to our lives as disciples.

One word has me thinking a lot these days, and that word is Engagement. No, I’m not talking about a betrothal or an agreement between a man and a woman that will lead to marriage. I’m talking about that which causes us to participate.

In order to further grapple with the word, I went to my standard – I looked up the word. Engagement means, to attract and to hold by influence. It can mean to move into gear or even to interlock. Engage means to hold the attention of and can also mean to promise or pledge to participate. Engage can also mean to respond.

One of those definitions makes me think about engaging a science fiction engine gear called “light speed.” Or you could also think about engaging or changing a gear on a bicycle. However the definition that really causes me to think – dare I say engage – is to attract attention or hold by influence.

Peter was engaged because of a simple invitation. But the invitation was not enough to get him out of the boat – there was something else.

I have been thinking a lot about the word “engagement” recently and even asking the question, “What causes people to be engaged?” I guess the converse of that might be, “What causes people to disengage, or simple not engage?”

I suggested on Sunday that “Greenhorns” on the Deadliest Catch engage, even in spite of the risk, because of the reward or the benefit that they receive at the end of a catch. Some people engage due to a passion that drives them. Some people engage due to the personality of the one asking the question. And yet, others simply do not move into gear, pledge to participate, or become attracted regardless of the message or reward.

What gets you engaged? What gets your blood boiling? What causes you to respond, participate, lock into gear, move forward, and become captivated? What is it that will make you get out of the boat?

Jesus simply said, Come. Peter engaged.

This week, we are concluding our series on Discovery Church with a message entitled “Dirty Jobs.” It is not only one of my favorite shows on Discovery, but it is a message that I am looking forward to sharing. I hope that you will engage in worship with us this week.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

P.S. You are allowed to engage in conversation. Tell me what you think, how you are, and what causes you to become engaged?

Changing Lives

2008-10-01T14:38:00.004-04:00

It was just over a few weeks ago that my father had a procedure to open the blood flow to his leg. The procedure was similar to a heart catheterization where they would attempt to use a balloon to open blockage and possibly insert a stent. No procedure is without risk, but we were optimistic that the results would be good.

When my father arrived the morning of the procedure, he had little to no pulse in his foot. I was there to ask the doctor some questions, and was hopeful that the procedure was going to be a success. There was really no way of telling until after the procedure whether the intended results would be realized.

It didn’t take long for us to come to that realization. From what we heard that afternoon, and from what my father is experiencing thus far, it has proven to be a successful procedure. I was excited to hear a nurse say that there was a really good pulse in his foot. Further, it was as if my father could feel the blood beginning to circulate in his leg once again.

Medical advancements are quite fascinating and quite engaging. It is amazing to me sometimes that we are able to learn so much and make great advancements in the field of health care and medicine. People’s lives can be changed.

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to visit Vanderbilt University’s Institute for Global Health as part of an immersion experience with United Methodist Communications. While there, we heard about the studies that are being undertaken and the advancements that are being made in the area of Global Health, specifically relating to Malaria.

I was truly engaged as I listened to scientists who had a real passion for science as well as a real passion for the lives of those who would be saved through their research. Their passion for saved lives was what was driving their research. Their passion and desire to eradicate Malaria was the reason that they were doing research.

Did you know that nearly 500 million people contract malaria yearly? Did you know that nearly 3 million of those that contract the disease, die? Further, and probably most disturbing is that Malaria is also the leading cause of death for children under 5 years in those areas.

But there is real hope.

Research at Vanderbilt is looking at ways of breaking cycles of replication, how mosquitoes transmit the disease, what attracts the female mosquito to humans and ways that we can eliminate that attraction, and how they can lure the deadliest creature on earth into traps without harming wildlife or other important environmental factors.

Research studies are showing that not only are bed nets and other repellents working, but that they are having residual affects in areas surrounding beds and homes that are being treated. Sustainable solutions and options are being tested and results are showing that the findings from research are making an impact in the field.

All this research is being undertaken to eradicate a killer disease. And what was so exciting is that this is possible! The cycle of disease and transmission can be broken, and ultimately life can be sustained. People’s lives can be changed!

Even more exciting is that we can have a part in this. Supporting efforts to change lives, can change our lives and the lives of those around us. This research will benefit research into eradicating all diseases that are transmitted in similar ways. This one disease, Malaria, doesn’t only affect the lives of those on other continents, it affects us.

If you were to tell someone 20 years ago that they would someday insert a stint into your Femoral Artery and restore blood flow to your leg, they probably would have looked at you like you were crazy. Some people think the same thing about the eradication of killer diseases. Some people believe it can’t be done.

I’m excited to see that someone things that it can. I pray that we will. I hope that you will pray too.

This week in worship, we will be thinking about those living across the globe and those living amongst the threat of killer diseases. This week is World Communion Sunday and we will break bread with our brothers and sisters across the world. I hope that you will join us.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

If/Then

2008-09-23T13:33:00.001-04:00

In our lives, we are often living in a constant state of If/then. When I was young, I remember hearing that as a way of understanding that sometimes we need to do something in order to get something. It is a natural state of being.

Computer programming often operates on that principle or construct. I remember using it in the very infancy stages of computer classes and in math class. You could call it a flow chart or even a way of understanding how things happen in progression.

Think about it for just a moment and think about how often you have operated by the If/then statements of life?

If you do your homework, then you may go outside. If you do your homework, then you may get good grades.

I remember hearing as a teenager: If you clear the driveway, I will buy the gas for your shoveling business. If you cut the grass, I will buy the gas for your lawn mowing jobs. If you wash the car once a week, you can drive the car. These are the blessings.

The If/then principle, as I call it, is not always positive. How many times have we “encouraged” our children to brush their teeth by saying, “If you DON’T brush your teeth, then your teeth will get cavities, have to get fillings and Novocain, and you won’t be a happy camper?” These are often the curses.

For some reason, however, I think we forget that we must often do things in order to reap the benefits. This is not always true, don’t get me wrong. But often times we seem to think that things just automatically happen. I say this – because I think that we have a misconception about being a Christian. We think that once we’ve acted upon this decision to be a follower of Christ, then its easy street for me.

This is not always the case. In fact, it is rarely the case. In order for us to reap the benefit of having a life transformed relationship, we must sow a little too. We must read, we must pray, we must follow, and we must diligently observe all that God has given us.

This week, as I was flipping through the scriptures, I came across the blessings and the curses of Deuteronomy. I won’t go through the curses this afternoon, but what I found to be quite powerful was the way in which we can receive a blessing.

You can’t say it any other way. If you follow the Lord, you will be blessed.

1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: 3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. 4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. 5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. 6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. Deuteronomy 28:1-6.

Now before you get upset with me, I know that sometimes God chooses to bless us just for the sake of blessing. That is the true nature of grace. But sometimes, we need to give a little in order to get a little, we need to plant in order to reap, and we need to love in order to be loved.

I hope that you will do that. If you do, you will truly be blessed.

This week, we continue our series on Discovery Church with the sermon on Man vs. Wild. I look forward to seeing you this week.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Remembering to Remember

2008-09-10T13:33:00.002-04:00

Do you remember where you were and what you were doing seven years ago this week? Chances are very good that you do.

I probably didn’t pay attention very well in psychology class, but there is a reason that we remember events and associate them with other things. Sometimes we can’t remember what we had for breakfast, but chances increase that you will remember if something significant happened. We remember dates and times, what we were doing, and what we were eating, when something significant happens.

Upon this reading, or even moving into this week, you may not have remembered that we were quickly approaching September 11th - how quickly we forget. But as you hear the stories on the news and have the images replayed throughout the week – you begin to remember.

I remember being in North Carolina. We were actually planning to return to Pennsylvania after being on vacation the morning of the 11th, but decided wisely to change our plans. We watched silently that day as the news continued to come in about the days events.

No doubt that you will be remembering a lot this week. We not only need to remember, but we should not forget. Those words to me are not a rallying cry, but a call for us to remember in prayer the lives lost and the ways that our lives have been changed forever due to the unfortunate events. We also need to remember to pray, for our nation is no better today, no safer, than it was just a little more than 7 years ago.

I’ve been reading Psalm 42 this morning as I have been remembering. I am hoping that you will take some time to read it. I’m not going to print it here – but ask that you go, read, and remember. Turn to God in the midst of that reading and remember to pray for our nation.

“Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God” Psalm 42: 11b.

This week we will be continuing our Discovery Church series with Bone Detectives. I hope that you will join us and even invite a friend to discover just a little about how God restores us to life. It is a good opportunity to reach out and remember that we are not the only ones who need restoration this week. I look forward to seeing you.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Happy Anniversary

2008-09-06T06:58:00.002-04:00

Today is my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad and may you have many more in the seasons of life that God ordained. We love you!

Calming the Storm

2008-09-02T13:16:00.001-04:00

I know someone who likes the saying, “Into every life, a little rain must fall.” It was often said in response to something happening or something going wrong. I can’t find any references to who said it first, but I know that if I was eight years old, the person to whom I am referring probably would have taken credit.

I think that I heard that saying back in 1996. I was married for about 2 weeks, when Tracy and I encountered our first hurricane. We were living in a basement apartment when Hurricane Fran unleashed herself on us in Durham, North Carolina. We didn’t have a large pine tree shatter our living room like a neighbor, but we did have about 4 inches of water in our basement apartment the morning we stepped out of bed following the storm.

“Into every life,” is probably not what the people of the Gulf Coast wanted to hear over the past few days. They’ve had their share of rain over the past years. I heard one person note on the news that they would have been finished with their repairs from Katrina sometime this week, had it not been for this latest storm.

You’ve probably heard or read the story about Jesus calming the storm. The Bible retells several times that Jesus was out on a boat with his disciples when a storm arose. The disciples were terrified by it, and yet Jesus was sleeping. The storm was so great in one telling, that the boat was taking on water. When Jesus awakes, he calms the storm. He rebuked the wind and the raging waters and the storm subsided.

I’m sure that I am not the only one using this passage today in reference to the latest storm in the Gulf Coast. I’m also sure that I will not be the only one to offer reasons for the storm. I probably stand with some, and differ with others.

Hurricane Gustov battered the Gulf Coast this weekend. While the storm still raged, I believe that God was able to calm the storm even as it rained. I also believe that God still stands able to calm the storms that we experience. As I prayed in the midst of Hurricane Fran, it certainly didn’t go away, but I do believe that our fears were calmed and our lives were protected. I am also sure that the same is true today for those who experience the storm in the Gulf this past weekend.

Yes, into every life some rain will fall, but I believe that the God of the storm is present with us, and has the power to calm our fears and protect us in the midst of the rain.

Let’s continue to pray for those who have been living in the midst of the storms this season. This is not the last one for the season!

O God, you divided the waters of chaos at creation. In Christ you stilled storms, raised the dead, and vanquished demonic powers. Tame the earthquake, wind, and fire, and all the forces that defy control or shock us by their fury. Help us, in good times and in distress, to trust your mercy and yield to your power, this day and for ever. Amen (Andy Langford, UMBOW, p. 509).

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Run the Race

2008-08-29T14:12:00.005-04:00

This weekend, I am completing a five week series that I have been preaching entitled "Run the Race." I have used the metaphor of a Triathlon to get us through a discussion about our spiritual journey based upon Paul's encouragement for us to "run the race with perseverance."

I have had so much fun with this series and I have seen and read so many things recently through different lenses. On vacation, I was reading an article from Runner's World entitled "The Latest Model." As I was reading, I was struck by how it engaged me from a Christian perspective. The subtitle to the article said it best, "No matter how long you've been running or how fast your times, there's always room for improvement."

I couldn't fit the illustration into the series after all was said and done, but it still captures my thoughts about the church. Take a read. Don't forget to read it with your christian lenses on and tell me what you think.

Brown Grass

2008-08-27T12:33:00.003-04:00

Today, they are predicting rain. Some might grumble a little bit. We’ve had a pretty good run on nice weather as of late. The temperatures have been pleasant. There have been some warm days, but all in all it hasn’t been too bad.

The only down side of the good weather that we have been experiencing is the lack of rain. It has caused the lawns to take on a nice brown shade.

I listened to a garden and lawn expert the other day say that often times we think that our lawns are dead. This isn’t the case, he explained. The lawn is merely dormant. With the lack of rain that we’ve experience over the past few weeks, lawns go into a dormancy faze. Grasses have the ability to go dormant for varying lengths of time depending on genetics, health of the grass, and sometimes the strength of the root system.

“Not too worry,” was the explanation. “All it needs is a little water.”

That got me thinking a lot about the ritual of the summer season in the church and the very real possibility that many of us have gone dormant spiritually. Often times we take breaks in the summer, we fall away from our spiritual disciplines, and we find the latest and greatest excuse as to why we didn’t come to worship.

When we go through those seasons, we tend to go into a spiritual dormancy. Everything is going really well on the outside. It’s sunny and warm. But in reality, we are not getting the things that can sustain us and so we turn brown and brittle.

You can make a good case that all is not lost. The psalmist writes that those who plant themselves by streams of water will prosper and bear fruit (Psalm 1). If you have good genetics, a good root system, and you are relatively healthy – all you need is a little water.

Jesus once said, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them (John 7:37b-38).”

Are you in a spiritual dormancy? If you are, maybe all you need to do is reconnect and reestablish your relationship with Christ. Are you thirsty? Maybe all it will take is a tall drink of the water that will bring streams of living water from within you.

Now is a great time to come out of that dormancy. Fall programs are beginning and ministries in churches are coming back to life. Tap into something, it won’t take long for you to brighten up.

Today, they are predicting rain. I hope that we get a lot of it! And I hope that you get drenched.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Transitions

2008-08-19T13:33:00.002-04:00

As you know, over the past three weeks we have been hearing a series of messages in worship entitled “Run the Race.” I have been using the metaphor of a Triathlon to talk about faith and our life of discipleship. We began the journey with our swim and dove into faith, we went through transition, and we have just talked about the longest leg of the journey, the bike.

This week, we again come to another transition. In a triathlon, this is a different transition than the first time. Like life, transitions in a triathlon are different.

Working toward this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about transition. It’s hard not to think about it quite frankly. Many people that we know are undergoing transition this week sending children to college for the very first time, some are welcoming them home again, and others are just ready for the summer to be over. I saw that in action this afternoon as I passed Geneva College and watched throngs of people checking in, rushing around, and having that look.

“That look” is different for all of us and that is certainly the case on the campus this morning. Some look excited, but inside they are balled with stress. Some look lost, and they really are. Some look as if they could burst into tears at any moment, and the boys just hope that mom will wait until she gets into the car, secretly hoping that no one sees them feel the same way.

But that look is probably similar to other transitions that are happening over the next weeks. Kindergarten, first bus ride, being the youngest again in a school, waking up earlier than ten in the morning are the transitions that are happening.

I was reading a little from the book of Proverbs this morning. The book of Proverbs is amazingly simple and complicated at the same time. It talks about its purpose in the very first words. Quite simply, proverbs is there for our “learning,” “wisdom,” and “instruction.” You can’t read that far without stopping and simply trying to digest the message that it has for you.

That was true when I read words that reminded me of all the children, youth, and young adults who are undergoing transition this week. Chapter three begins by simply saying, “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for the length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you (v.1).” And then they continue, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (vv. 5-6).”

Learning how to cope with life is just part of life, and it certainly is a part of our faith. We must go through hardship, testing, adversity, and sometimes trials in order to become stronger. Each time we go through transition, we learn how to cope with the next transition that will certainly come our way.

Take some time today, not only to pray for all those who are going through transition, but also those are learning to Trust in the Lord. Come to God today in prayer and seek to be more devoted in your own life. Say a simple prayer, trust in God, acknowledge him and see if he will not straighten the road that lies ahead.

Again, this week in worship we continue our sermon series with “Run the Race: T2.” We will also be blessed to witness to our faith in Baptism. Come and see how God can work in your life. I look forward to seeing you.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Olympic Passion

2008-08-12T11:45:00.002-04:00

What are you watching these days? Beyond the news of tragedy that exists each day in our world, and the repetitive coverage of a Presidential race that began well over a year ago, chances are that you are one of the millions of people watching the Olympics.

I love watching the Olympics. I watched just a little of the opening ceremonies on Friday, but my real focus has been on the sports. As you know, I love sports anyway, but I am really enjoying the sports that you don’t get to watch regularly. I remember watching Wide World of Sports as a child and being fascinated with the different sports that exist. How can you not be gripped by the “agony of defeat?” (Cue the music).

The other day, I was captivated by Water Polo. I know that captivation may be stretching it, but I really was. I found myself cheering for the team as they were scoring, and running to the Internet to find some rules that I was not understanding. My wife heard me rooting for the team, and she wound up sitting with me as we rooted the Americans past the Chinese.

Not only do I enjoy the sporting events, but I also enjoy the human interest side of the sports, the stories bring life to those who are competing. We are brought into their lives through picture and through story that make the unknown competitor a real human being with hurts and desires just like the rest of us.

Did you hear about the mother in her thirties who is competing in gymnastics for Germany? She is competing in her record fifth Olympic games and was a part of the former Soviet Team in 1992. Following the dismantling of the former Unified team, she competed for her native Uzbekistan. She was married, had a son, but her journey was not over. It was her son’s diagnosis of Leukemia that landed her in Germany. She continued to compete because the prize money helped her pay for his treatment.

What about the swimmer from Korea who at the age of 14 was the youngest member of the team and to compete in his first Olympics. He qualified for only one event in Athens, and in the preliminary round fell off the starting block and was disqualified before he even began. Four years later, he stepped to a different podium after he won the 400m Freestyle.

In addition to the human interest stories, are the accounts of the athletic preparation and the mindset of the athlete. Steroids are a point of interest for the media, but they are also trying to focus on what athletes are doing to remain clean. The dedication, the mindset, the commitment, and the devotion to excellence and winning is staggering. The athletes that are competing at this level have one focus and one focus only – Winning.

It’s inspiring to watch someone give everything they have to one thing. Their entire focus and attention is about being a better athlete, doing everything that it takes. Watching someone like that makes me want to be better. I want to have that same passion.

But don’t worry! I’m not thinking about entering Olympic trials in the triathlon. What it makes me think about, however, is my own passion and devotion to Christ. Am I doing everything necessary to be a fully devoted follower of Christ? Am I putting everything that I have into making my life reflect that of Christ? Am I an example for others to follow? Am I measuring up? Am I falling short? Am I running the race?

I think all of us have to ask those questions of ourselves. And when we ask them, we can’t stop there. If we are falling short, falling off the podium before we even begin, we have to make changes in our lives. We have to be so committed that we are willing to do everything necessary to become what we are not; a fully devoted Christian.

We are thinking about that in this message series. What does it take to run the race with perseverance and endurance? What does it mean to cast off the weight of sin in our lives? Are you doing it?

This week we continue our series with “Run the Race: Traveling the Many Miles.” I invite you to come empty and ready to be filled by Christ. Devote yourself to him and I know that Christ will fill you. I look forward to seeing you this week in worship.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Willow Creek Day 1

2008-08-06T10:44:00.004-04:00

Tracy is attending the Gifted To Lead Forum today at Willow Creek. I took her this morning so I could have the car if I needed it. I am spending the day working on my sermon for this Sunday as part of our Run the Race Series.

Wow! I don't think that I have fully come to terms with the size and magnitude of this place. Willow has always placed a high emphasis of making a kingdom impact in today's world. They are reaching people, and they are doing it in grand fashion. Even with the size, you are immediately welcomed and led in the right direction. I wonder just how many of our churches are doing the same thing?

This will be the second year in a row attending the Leadership Summit. This is the first at Willow. I will say it often - more people in Church leadership need to be attending this type of Leadership Conference (especially from the UMC in WPA).

Chicago Excursion

2008-08-05T21:11:00.004-04:00

Tracy and I left this morning for Chicago, IL. We are going to the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek Community Church. We are both excited about our time here. Last year, you may remember that we attended the Summit via Satellite at Orchard Hill. This year, we decided to come to the real deal.

Tomorrow, Tracy will be attending the Gifted To Lead Forum for Women. It is a one day interactive Forum with Nancy Beach and Nancy Ortberg. Tracy is so excited about the possibility of interacting with other women leaders. While she is at the Forum, I will be working on my sermon for this week for our Run the Race Series.

But - I guess the reason for writing tonight is to describe our experience at Gino's East. We asked some friends who have been to Chicago for some ideas on food, and this was their pick! The website says that Chicago is known for its pizza, and Gino's East is the reason why. Our opinion is that they are absolutely correct!!!!

First of all - you walk into this place and you know that you are in for something different. There is graffiti all over the place. They actually give you crayons to write on the walls. So of course, I left my mark.

But the highlight of the night was our deep dish sausage and cheese pizza. I wish flavors could be pasted to this site. No words other than to say it was some of the best pizza that I've had. I love thin crust pizza, but this ranks up there. It was cool.

So we are waiting until tomorrow to venture over to South Barrington. Until later . . .

Run the Race

2008-08-04T18:06:00.003-04:00

Our Sermon Series in August is entitled "Run the Race". We invite you to join us for worship for an exciting series that will challenge your faith. Run the race that is set before you - what do you have to lose?

Finding Rest

2008-08-04T16:32:00.003-04:00

They say that sometimes you need a vacation after a vacation. The work that you do prior to vacation exhausts you and the vacation refreshes. However, the drive home and the plane rides, and the pile of mail that greets you upon your return only causes you to need another vacation.

Some have noted that the E-pistle has been on vacation. This has largely been due to prep work for vacation, the vacation, and the aforementioned the pile of mail that I went through upon our return.

However, I can honestly say that even today when I am preparing to go on a continuing education event, and I am trying to complete tasks that can only be done in the office, I am not in need of a vacation after my vacation. Don’t get me wrong, if someone offered an all expense paid vacation to Hawaii, I’d go! But I am truly rested.

I am blessed to have been able to take a vacation and get some much needed rest. I continue to say, even a week after returning, that I had a truly wonderful time doing nothing. I was truly blessed.

There was nothing more enjoyable to me than sitting on the shoreline, listening to the waves crashing. The constant sound of water moving in and out with the tides is soothing to me. I read books, I read magazines. I watched my children play in the sand, and run in an out with the waves. I listened to the girls gasp at the sight of sand crabs, and delight in the sight of dolphins moving along the shoreline. I grasped my littlest child’s hand as we ascended and descended the lighthouse steps, and I flew a homemade kite on historic grounds like Orville and Wilbur Wright. I ate far too much ice cream, and I ran with reckless abandon down a sand dune that will never be the same. I held hands with my beautiful wife as we walked along the beach.

Sometimes, all we need is a change of scenery, a change of perspective. In many ways, that simple change can be the rest that we need. I was able to get that on vacation. I saw things from a different angle, I listened with new ears, and I opened myself to the presence of God in my midst.

Do you get to do that? I’m not only talking about driving 500 miles away to the beach – but the perspective part. Do you get to do that? Do you get to find rest in the Lord? If you are saying right now that you haven’t or don’t, are you asking yourself why? And if you haven’t – are you planning a way of doing that. I believe we need to do that. Sabbath rest is important, not only weekly, but regularly. It recharges us, it refreshes us, and causes us to delight in the Lord.

The psalmist writes, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” Psalm 36:7-9.

Today, I am thankful for God’s abundant grace, his love, and the refuge that he provides for me. I hope that you can find that same rest in his shadows, and feast abundantly in his house. If you haven’t recently – find time in the near future. God will bless you!

This week, we are continuing our Series entitled, “Run the Race” and I will be preaching on transitions in our lives. It is an exciting series, and I hope that you will not only make an effort to be in worship, but invite a friend. I look forward to seeing you this week.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Happy Birthday

2008-07-16T09:51:00.003-04:00

Today is my beautiful wife's birthday. If you have been around her lately, she would have told you. She tells people that her birthday is coming, not to be braggadocios - but to celebrate God's gift of life.

Tracy had heart surgery when she was a tot and without it, she probably would not have lived passed her teen years. Today, surgery that Tracy had may be more common, but in the late sixties and early seventies, it was risky.

Several years ago, I had an amazing experience. I was visiting a parishioner in the hospital in Oakland. While there, I was introduced to a doctor who was visiting the patient. He had become a friend of the patient. In his 40's now, he had had several surgeries. The doctor went on to explain that he had performed one of this patient's first surgeries as a child.

In context, I went on to say that my wife had also had surgery of a similar kind when she was a child. The doctor asked her name. He then said, "Oh - I think I did her surgery." I was rather taken aback - but he said, I'm almost certain that she was my patient.

So I gave him my card, and he actually went and checked his records. He emailed me, and indeed he was the doctor. We had a wonderful exchange that day, and it was amazing to be able to meet the person who helped make it possible for Tracy to be here today. But what amazed me most was his acute attention to detail and recall of my wife's medical condition and his lasting concern for her well-being.

Thanks, Dr. Pontius for using your God given talents.

Today, Tracy celebrates God's gift of life and today I thank God for my wife.

Happy Birthday!

Amazing Things

2008-07-01T12:30:00.003-04:00

Once again, Tracy and I had the wonderful opportunity to lead an Elementary Adventure Camp at Jumonville last week. This was the fourth year that we were Deans together. The kids never cease to amaze us, and God always provides.

At the beginning of the week as I was reading some scripture, I came across a passage that resonated with me. In the third chapter of Joshua, as the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordon River into the Promised Land, Joshua told them to prepare themselves to worship the Lord. He said, “Make yourselves acceptable for worship, because God is going to do amazing things for us” Joshua 3:5.

It was the beginning of our week, we had much that was before us, and so I thought that it was amazing to read such a verse at the beginning of our week. I heard God speaking in those words that we should just be ready for anything. So I shared those words with the campers and reminded them that through all of the adventures, in all of the activities, during all of the challenges, we should be open to God and open to worship God through everything that we do.

Each night and even during Bible Study, we would give the opportunity to the kids to talk about how God was working, what they found amazing, where they saw God, and even asked them when they knew when God was real.

Both Tracy and I were amazed at the responses that we hear throughout the week. But above all of the responses about seeing God in creation and in the sounds of the river and the waterfalls, there was one response that continued to resound. Quite often the kids would talk about knowing, feeling, and experiencing God in a way that they felt protected, secure, safe, and loved. How powerful is that!

In biking, in climbing, in hiking, and even in a simple yet necessary harness – the kids felt God’s hand of protection on them. They attributed their safety all to God! Even when they ‘wrecked’ on the bike trail, or when they slipped off a hand hold on a climbing wall, even though they may be bruised or scrapped a little, they knew that things could have been much worse without God’s hand of protection in their lives. And yes, even when they saw their Dean battered and bloody from falling off Cucumber Falls, they knew that God was protecting us. Amazing and God glorifying stuff if you ask me.

So maybe that would be a good question for all of us to answer today. Where do you see God working in your life today? Where do you see God doing amazing things? Further, are you open and acceptable to make worship a daily part of your journey of life?

I pray that you are. Some of us think that worship only happens once a week, in a specific place. That could not be further from the truth. Worship happens in our daily lives, when we serve God, love God, and serve others. Open yourself to worship God this day – and God will do amazing things!

This week, we will continue our series on hymns of faith. Are Ye Able is the hymn that we will share and communion will be the feast that nourishes us. I hope that you will be with us this week. Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Shows I Watch

2008-06-18T15:03:00.003-04:00

I thought I'd post something different today, so here is what I watch on TV when I can.

Hell's Kitchen
The Discovery Channel
When We Left the Earth
Good Eats
Iron Chef America
Anything my children are watching if they have the remote!
ESPN

The Rains Came Down, and the Floods Came Up

2008-06-17T14:30:00.002-04:00

No doubt many of you have been hearing and reading reports of the recent devastation in the Midwest due to flooding. Record rainfalls and saturated earth has led to flooding beyond compare. Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana are only a few of the states that have been hit the hardest.

Sometimes it's hard to imagine what it must be like to live through a flood of that magnitude. We can only hope that faith will take people through the devastation and restoration that lives will be restored. In the midst of the flooding however, people seem to lose hope because everything is in ruin, lives are shattered, and what can be seems like it will never be revealed.

Flooding is a not too distant memory for many in Western Pennsylvania. It wasn’t too long ago that we were cleaning up our own houses when record rainfalls caused our rivers and streams to rise. Some people call them 100 year floods, others call them floods of the century. Regardless of what you call them, a flood is a flood.

Bishop Gregory Palmer of the Iowa Area was our guest preacher at Annual Conference Last week. While he was here, his own Annual Conference was dealing with the flooding. I can only imagine what it must have been like for him to be so far away – yet provide so much hope. Bishop Palmer spoke a lot about hope, hope that is restored, hope that can be revealed. We do not give up hope, but yet we remain steadfast in our conviction that God will see us through this. He has said openly as well as in print, “Remember, when you pass through the waters, God will be with you.”

That word of promise has come up so often in my scripture reading, “God will be with you,” or “I will be with you” is a promise that begins in Genesis and continues throughout the entirety of scripture. We hear it with Abraham and Noah, we hear it as a promise to Isaac and Jacob. We hear it with the prophets and we hear Jesus promise his Spirit to the Disciples. The promise of God’s presence is important for us as people of faith.

God’s promise is real in our lives. He promises to be with us always. His Spirit guides and protects us, reminds us of his love for us, and reminds us of Christ’s teachings. When we feel at our weakest, God is at his strongest.

As we remember those who are living through the floods in the Midwest this day, I hope that you will take some time to remember them in your prayers. Lift them up and pray that they might know God’s presence even in the midst of the devastation.

Finally, we have an opportunity to reach out in ways that go beyond prayer. Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief, we can respond to the need by contributing financially. Our financial gifts become a tangible presence of God for the people living in the midst of trouble. Consider giving. As the Bishop noted to us, this can be a second flood – a flood of compassion.

Donations for UMCOR's relief efforts in the Midwest can be made to Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670. Checks can be dropped in church offering plates or mailed directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.

I look forward to seeing you all soon. Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.

Greg

Grit, Determination, Faith, and Hope

2008-06-03T12:48:00.002-04:00

Today, I am playing with just a little less than I would on a Tuesday. You may know that I typically go to bed around 10 to 10:30 at night. If you ask my wife, she will tell you that I usually fall asleep in my recliner about that time; and it isn’t until later that I move upstairs.

But last night I was up until after 1:00 a.m. The answer to the question is “yes!” I stayed up until the final goal in the Penguin’s Game 5, Triple Overtime Win over the Detroit Redwings! I put that exclamation point at the end of the sentence only to disguise my level of malaise.

I will admit to you that going into last nights game, I was not expecting much out of the Penguins. They had yet to score in Detroit during this Stanley Cup Final series, and this was a critical game for them. It was win or lose, do or die. If they lost last night, the Detroit Redwings would have won the 2008 Stanley Cup. Let’s also admit that Detroit is a great team and they were proving that throughout the series.

But being the fan that I am, I watched the game with great excitement as the Pens went up 2-0. I continued to watch as the Redwings cut the lead by one, and then eventually tied the game. I also watched with diminished joy as the Redwings scored a go ahead goal early in the game and listened as the fans in Detroit began to chant, “We want the Cup!” I admit that I was deflated; I felt defeated; I was a little hurt.

With less than a minute left in the game, however, the Pens scored the tying goal!

And then the game went into overtime. And then it went into a second overtime. And then it went into a third overtime. At this point, Tracy and I began to say things like, “even if they lose, they played with grit and determination. Even if they lose, they played with heart. They could actually win this game. Yet, if they lose – we can go to bed knowing that they played till the very end.”

What a roller-coaster ride! In the end, the Pens did win with a goal at around the half-way mark of that third overtime. I don’t think we had the energy to scream very much. Winning justified staying up that late to watch something that in the end holds very little influence in our life other than providing some entertainment and enjoyment.

I say that because I’ve been thinking a lot about hope and faith over the past few days. There are times in our lives when situations seem insurmountable, life seems inescapable, and death seems imminent. We lose hope sometimes when situations appear to be filled with hopelessness.

But, as Christians – we are always filled with hope and faith. Winning doesn’t always happen the ways that we think they should, healing isn’t always given to us according to ways that we expect. Filled with hope and faith, however, we are given new life through Christ who makes all things possible for us. Even in the face of insurmountable odds, we win – regardless of the outcome! Do you believe that?

One of my favorite passages of scripture talks about that hope. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” He then goes on to say that there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But there is a great phrase that is a part of that concluding statement. Paul says, “I am convinced.” That simple phrase for me speaks volumes about faith and hope for me. It reminds me that sometimes we need to have a conviction that is greater than our doubts and our fears, one that allows us to hold fast to God’s love and the power of Christ to save us – even in the face of adversity.

Today, I don’t know whether the Pens will win the Stanley Cup. Regardless of the outcome, I know that there is always hope in my life and in the life of those who love God. And in the end, I guess its really about how we played, rather than if we win or lose in this lifetime.

I hope you are well. Get some rest tonight if you were crazy enough to stay up that late. This week, I will continue my mini-series on Genesis with a sermon entitled, “Go Where?” I look forward to greeting you in worship.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Race Results

2008-06-02T11:29:00.004-04:00

Well, it took a while for the results to be posted, and then it took me this long to post them here. On Sunday, May 25th, I competed in my very first Triathlon in New Brighton. I am happy that I finished the race. I committed to myself that I would not walk during the race. I didn't. And I also committed that I would finish with a smile on my face. I did that too.

I finished in 1 hour and 23 minutes. That was 2 minutes faster than my estimated time. For that I was happy. However, I have been thinking now about things I could do better and so there is a touch of disappointment for me that I didn't fare better. I'm just being honest.

Now for the next one. Maybe an open water Triathlon this summer. Then I think I will be doing another 5K or possibly a 10K as well.

Thanks for all your encouragement and your prayers.

Run the Race!

2008-05-25T07:57:00.002-04:00

Well, here it is, just an hour before I leave to compete in my first Triathlon. I am leaving with family in tow for New Brighton, PA for their Memorial Day Triathlon. Over twelve weeks of preparation has led me to this place. I am trying to keep my mind focused on finishing the race. That has been the goal from the very beginning: to finish this first triathlon with a smile on my face! As a friend recenlty said, my second goal is to Beat everyone else! I will compete, but my main focus is finishing.

I have been strenghtened by so many prayers and I thank you for each of them. My family has been so supportive, and the youngest is even making up her own words to "Triathlon." It has an tune that is quite similar to "Lamb of God" I think.

Well, after this morning, I will be heading off to Titusville for a little picnic and Memorial Day service tomorrow. I will post results soon.

"let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our faith." Hebrews 12.

Flavor of the Day

2008-05-20T14:05:00.001-04:00

This is a difficult time of the year for me. It’s Ice Cream Season! I know, “how hard can it really be?” It’s hard, because I love Ice Cream and it would be very easy for me to be at an ice cream stand every day for the next several months.

My all time favorite flavor is Mint Chocolate Chip. I could order that every time I go to the ice cream stand. I especially love certain varieties of Mint Chip. The brands with the slivers of chips rather than the entire chips, that would be the top.

When we lived in North Carolina, we were introduced to a store that actually sold Frozen Custard. That place was awesome! They had the standards everyday, vanilla, chocolate and a special for the day. But everyday, you could make your own creation called a “Concrete.” You would simply add ingredients to the custard to be blended together. I always loved a mint chocolate concrete. Big surprise, huh! It was even better if the special for the day was Sweet Cream.

Sometimes, though, I like to get out of my comfort zone and get something different. I don’t like to go there a lot, just enough to get my taste buds working again and to remind me of what I like.

I thought about that, not only because I had a big bowl of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream last night, but because of what I read this morning. Let me explain.

When I want to do some reading in scripture, I tend to go where I am comfortable, I read what I know, read what I like. Often times that means that I am reading the New Testament, and probably reading a Gospel or one of Paul’s Letters. I particularly like the Gospel of Luke and I enjoy reading from Paul’s letter to the people of Rome. In these readings, I hear a lot about God’s grace, I hear about the love of Christ, and I like that. It’s comfortable, reassuring and easy on my spiritual walk.

But this morning as I began, I wanted something a little different. I wanted a different flavor, if you will. So I turned to the Old Testament and to the Book of Hosea. Don’t ask me why this book. It was more about being different and choosing a different flavor.

If you’ve never looked at or tasted this book, I’d challenge you to open it up. It will hopefully cause you to think a little bit. It is not comfortable and reassuring and easy on your spiritual walk. It will give you a spiritual brain freeze, cause you to squinch up your forehead and make you think a little bit. Go ahead – take a sample.

Hosea is a minor prophet. It is named this by scholars, not because it is any less significant in the message, but mostly because it is not as long as the Major prophets that you may know like Isaiah and Jeremiah. It may not be as long, but the message is just as important for us to hear.

I didn’t get very far, just a few chapters. Maybe it’s like a new flavor, with which you have to take a test run. But the taste that I had makes me want to come back for more. It caused me to think about what message God has for us and what God is calling us to be.
Hosea is making a charge against the people of God. The charges are not nice either. Hosea says, “There is unfaithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the Land, and there is only cursing, lying, and murder.”

We don’t like to eat that flavor do we? We don’t like to admit that there are times that we are not the people that God is calling us to be. Quite frankly, we are unfaithful at times. Hosea is reminding me of that.

So this e-pistle is not the warm fuzzy that it usually is today. I thought we should ask some tough questions of ourselves and take a taste of something out of our comfort zone. Ask yourself – if you were judged today – would you be found unfaithful, lacking love, and having no acknowledgement of God? If you answered yes to any or maybe all of those questions – what do you need to do to change that?

I invite you to taste something different this week. Take some time to go to Hosea . . . Keep looking, you’ll find it!

This week, Hengust Robinson will be preaching. I will be taking some time off and doing something really outside my comfort zone. I am competing in my very first Triathlon in New Brighton. My goal is quite simple – cross the finish line with a smile on my face. Along the way, I am going to be praying for strength, not only personal, but God’s strength to be with me. I will be praying for you along the way as well.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Are You Ready?

2008-05-20T13:16:00.004-04:00

Why do we do what we do?

2008-05-09T11:56:00.005-04:00

Many of you know that my mornings are unlike most clergy who get to walk across the street to their offices, or drive a block or two. My office is 26 miles away. In this economy of rising gas prices, I guess I could choose to run two marathons a day, but I choose to drive. Good choice.

Most mornings I fill my long commute with the sounds of Mike and Mike in the Morning. I'm a big sports fan and so this gets my juices flowing as I drive, drink my coffee, and prepare for my day. I love their interviews, their guests, and their way of providing entertainment. I also listen, because more than making me think about sports, it makes me think about much, much more.

This morning, they were interviewing Bonnie Bernstein. She is noted for her sideline reporting during sporting events. I've never thought that those reporters had the easiest job and it was confirmed during the interview.

One of the questions that was asked dealt with the interviews with coaches either at half-time, or immediately following a game. The guys were asking her about how awkward that moment must be. Basically, they were asking, "Why do you do that? Why do we insist on aking coaches questions when we know how hard it is? Why is that a part of a broadcast?"

Her answer was simple. She acknowledged how difficult it is to get a sound bite or an answer out of a coach during those moments of frustration, but that there is always a chance that you are going to get something. There is always a chance that you are going to get that one good answer, ask that one good question, get that one nugget.

That made me think about what we do every day and even ask the question, Why do we do what we do?

On this Pentecost weekend, I think its about getting that one chance to make a difference in someone's life, making a difference in such a way that we continue to press on toward the goal line in hopes of making a kingdom difference. It isn't always easy, we don't always get confirmation or the right answer - but there is always that one little moment . . .

And it all makes sense, God makes a difference. And before we know it, more and more lives are influenced, more and more lives are saved.

Is God done with the Church?

2008-05-06T12:30:00.003-04:00

Relevant, alive, growing, vital, faithful, fruitful, Spirit Filled: these are words that describe a church that not only listens to the breath of God, but is making impact in the world.

Irrelevant, dying, stagnant, unimportant, irreverent, rotting, and self-centered: these words describe a church that is listening to its own self interests, not making an impact, and will be soon a vision of the past.

What kind of church do you want to be? Where would you choose to worship? Does either church exist? Further, will the church exist?

I bombastically and probably flippantly expressed recently that the church may not exist in a few years if we don’t follow the leading of God. I wasn’t referring to any particular church, but maybe referring to denominations and even to the church that exists today in our society. I suspect that the person had thought about that recently and had a firm reply. It was so firm that my bombastic and flippant statement was revealed as rather shallow and myopic.

The response made me think a little more than my initial rant. The person said rather eloquently, “God may be done with certain churches or denominations, but God will never abandon the church. The church will always exist.”

Maybe I was giving into the pessimism that exists within society or a news report about declining membership trends. Maybe I was thinking about an upcoming denominational gathering and the lack of movement forward. But what I was not thinking about was how God relates to his creation and how God’s foundation for the church is Jesus Christ, and not me or anyone else.

I think that can be confirmed this week, as we anticipate Pentecost. Pentecost is a season, or a Sunday when we can be reminded and affirm the notion that God sent the Holy Spirit to teach us, inspire us, move us, fire us, temper us, and even move us to be the church that God is calling us to be. The Holy Spirit was sent not only to begin the church, but so that it might thrive.

C.S. Lewis writes in The Weight of Glory, “That structural position in the church which the humblest Christian occupies is the eternal and even cosmic. The church will outlive the universe; in it the individual will outlive the universe. Everything that is joined to the immoral head will share his immortality. We hear little of this from the Christian pulpit today. What has come of addressing the forces on this subject, I found that one of my audiences regarded this doctrine as “theosophical.” If we do not believe it let us be honest and relegate the Christian faith to museums. If we do, let us give up the pretense that it makes no difference.”

On Sunday, we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit that has the power to make us Relevant, alive, growing, vital, faithful, fruitful, Spirit Filled. We must seek what God is sending to us. Let us pray that we might seek that this day and eternally.

This week, we are confirming our hope that God is not through with us yet. We are celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism for two of God’s perfect miracles. I hope that you come and fill yourself with the Spirit that is promised. We will also have an opportunity to thank God for the love that makes Mother’s possible. I look forward to welcoming the Spirit together.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

What is God doing? And are we seeking it?

2008-04-29T13:45:00.002-04:00

This week, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church is meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. General Conference convenes once every four years. It is the legislative body of the church and is the only body that can officially speak for the church. Delegates from around the world gather for a period of discerning where God is leading the United Methodist church over the next four years. By Discipline, there are no more than 1000 delegates, 500 clergy and 500 lay. College Hill United Methodist Church is fortunate to be a church with a delegate from amongst our peers.

It is quite interesting to reflect on General Conference from afar. There are opportunities to read reports, digest some legislative petitions, read some blog posts, and even find some reports on the events through media outlets. Interesting, and yet quite difficult at the same time.

There is always a part of me that worries about this time every four years about what the United Methodist Church will look like following this global gathering. That comes from the part of me that worries about change and at the same time covets change that is positive. And yet there is always the part of me that finds the event rather frustrating for its lack of movement forward.

I tried to look up some legislative proposals. You can do that on the UMC website. You can check it any number of ways – I’d hate to be the person that has to keep that updated. But, maybe because I was looking at the wrong passages, or maybe I just clicked on the wrong proposal – but it seemed like most of the petitions were editorializing the Book of Discipline rather than providing any real ministry focus. For example I found one petition that actually proposed changing one word, “pastor” to “pastor-in-charge.” My first thought there was – are you kidding me? Where’s the ministry?

I read a pastor’s blog entry for the other day. He jokingly asked for someone to remind him if this was all still about Jesus? Sometimes in the ways that we do things, we major in the minors, get caught up in the minutia, and lose focus. That is probably not only an indictment against a quadrennial meeting, but also in our own ministry.

This coming Sunday, I think we will have an opportunity to regain some focus. We are coming to the end of the season of Easter, and entering into the season of Pentecost. But before that, we must move through Ascension Sunday. It is the day that we remember that Jesus Ascended into heaven, as the Creeds remind us, and are instructed to wait on the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that reminds us and teaches us everything that Jesus told us to do.

But there is a word from the Gospel of Luke that is very important for me as I reflect not only on our General Conference, but also on the tasks that lay before us. Jesus said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations.” Luke 24:46-47.

And that leads me to one question for us this day. Are we doing it? Are we making an impact? Are we seeking the things that God is doing? Are we as a church proclaiming repentance and forgiveness of sins? Are we proclaiming Jesus?

Not that you asked, but that’s what I’ve been thinking about today. Now I am going to seek ways of living that out! We’ll also have to see whether or not our General Conference seeks it as well.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you. And while you’re at it, throw one up for our General Conference and the international delegation that is seeking to make this all about Jesus.

Greg

Vote Early and Often!

2008-04-22T14:10:00.003-04:00

So! Who did you vote for?

I really don’t want you to answer that question. It was rhetorical. In fact, it was so rhetorical because it’s not the point of this E-pistle. Maybe the more appropriate question would be, “So, Did you vote!”

I’m glad you asked. Yes, I voted this morning. I was on the way home from swimming very early in the morning when KDKA announced that the Polls were expected to open in 60 seconds. I looked at the clock and thought that it would be a good time to go and vote. Get it done, out of the way!

I won the bronze, came in third. Quite a disappointing finish! Although it was the best finish that I’ve ever had. I’ve never voted that early. My usual question of voter turnout is quite moot at that hour in the morning. But I digress.

After voting, I had been reading a book entitled, “Resurrecting Excellence: Shaping Faithful Christian Ministry” by Gregory Jones and Kevin Armstrong. I didn’t get far today because I got stuck thinking about one statement. That made me think about how I live, how I think, and it even made me think about how I voted.

They were talking about a theology of Christian Excellence and how it is that we should be seeking it in our lives. They argued that the book of Philippians has a significance for us that should shape our lives and ministries. They write, “we are called to develop a common life that strives “side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel” (Phil 1:27).” Moreover, they argue that we should have the “mind of Christ.”

This may not be earth shattering journalism or new doctrine, but what made me really start to think was something that was said a paragraph later. “First it is important to note that seeking insight into Christ’s mind is not simply a matter of cognitive reasoning . . . but is better construed as a form of practical reasoning that involves our whole lives: feeling, thinking, and perceiving, as well as acting and living” (Excellence, p. 18). With that said, they go on to say that you could rightly translate that text as, “Let this be your pattern of thinking, acting, and feeling which was also displayed in Christ Jesus.”

So in other words, I began to think, this thought process, this mind of Christ should invade and influence every facet of my life? As I shake my head and confirm that yes, indeed it should. It should influence everything. But then I ask myself the larger question.

Does it?

Do we allow the mind of Christ to be one with out own in everything that we do? Do we allow the mind of Christ to be a part of ourselves in the thinking, the acting, the feeling, and for that matter, the speaking? Is Christ that much a part of your life?

And then I guess this is why I got stuck. Then I thought to myself – did I allow that same mind to be a part of my time standing behind an electronic voting machine this morning?

What about you? Did you vote? How did you vote? And maybe more importantly, if you didn’t vote with the “mind of Christ,” will you in November?

Just some food for thought, and something to chew on when you go to the poll today.

I do not take PAC money from Duke University, Gregory Jones or Eerdman Publishing.

I am Gregory Cox, and I approved this message.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Pump House Run

2008-04-19T11:37:00.012-04:00

Well, today I competed in my first ever 5K Race. The Pump House Run is held at the North Allegheny Intermediate School and benefits the Physical Education Department throughout the district. I ran a 5K cross country race, and the two older girls ran a 1/2 mile Trot on the track. On the way over to the Run, I asked the girls if they had any goals today. They said, "to have fun and finish!" I thought that was an admirable goal considering that is exactly what I was hoping to do. What a blast it was to see my family on the course cheering me on. What a thrill it was to cross the finish line. Well, unofficially - I think I placed about 63rd among 200 competitors and 6th in my age bracket. I think I crossed in about 27:32 if my memory serves me. Not bad for a first time. The girls' race was for 9 and under and they both finished and both got a ribbon! That was so cool. That was a first and I can tell you it will not be the last. My near term goal is a Triathlon at the end of May. I am just happy I finished today with a smile on my face and so excited for the girls. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

2008-04-09T09:50:00.002-04:00

If I had the time and the creativity, I think that I would write a parable about baseball. Specifically, if I could get away with it – I would write it about the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Some of you know that I love baseball. It was the sport that I played when I was a boy. I fondly remember going to McKnight Elementary late in the winter for little league sign-ups. My parents would pay my registration fee and we would get a packet of raffle tickets that would offset the cost. I would run around the neighborhood selling those tickets for the athletic association.

Then practice would start and we would have those days that were rained out in early spring. I hated those days. I loved playing and running around so much that every opportunity to get my glove on and run the bases was a good day.

I remember the fields on which we would play, the league names and even remember some of the coaches. There were also the opposing coaches – the ones who would sit on that overturned bucket with a cigar in their mouths. There were always the older kids in the league who looked ominous on the mound. Would I get beaned by this pitcher? Would I get a hit? Would my father call me out on strikes if he was the umpire?

I also remember waiting patiently for my parents to arrive at the ball field during a game. I was probably distracted until I saw either their car or their faces in the stand. From what I remember, my parents were pretty faithful about attending my games. My father may have missed an inning or two because of work, but they were there. They may have missed a game or two because of conflicts with my sibling’s schedules, but they were always there in my mind.

Now that I am a parent, I can easily say that they came because they loved me – not because the baseball was any good. For all I know, they could have been talking to the other parents the entire time. That is of course with the exception of the times that my father was a volunteer umpire and he would call me out on strikes!

I love this time of year! The baseball season has begun. I recall all of those great memories of winning seasons, and lost games, but most importantly the Pirates have started to play.

I am one who often jokes about the Pirates and their losing ways, but to be truthful, I love the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are my team. They are the team that I grew up watching and loved to watch as a child. They were the players that I wanted to emulate. I wanted to hit like Willie Stargell, steal bases like Omar Marino, and catch like Tony Pena. In spite of their record over the past years – 15 to be exact – I still love them.

I have become like my parents. I go to the games not because they are the greatest team in the league, but because they are my team.

That makes me think about God and the ways that he loves us. God loves us unconditionally. He watches us grow and say that we want to change, and yet when we don’t – he is still there, still watching us, still loving us. We can’t execute a simple squeeze play in the ninth inning, but nonetheless he still loves us. He is our God, and we are his people.

There is an oft used phrase that says, God loves us just the way we are, but refuses to leave us that way. I think that’s very true not only with me as a Pirate fan, but in our relationship with God. God comes to us even in our current state. But can you imagine what Joy there will be when we finally get it right.

Parables always close with statements like this. There will be much rejoicing in heaven over one winning season, when even a team who has lost for 15 consecutive seasons, finally gets it right.

I know that’s true with God, now lets just hope that the Pirates can work toward at least a .500 season!

This week, I will be sharing a brief message on the story of the Gate Keeper entitled “Just Honk the Horn.” I will be sharing a story about my time in the rural community and my run-in with a heard of sheep. We look forward to also welcoming Reflection from Geneva who will be sharing their gift of music.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

A First!

2008-04-01T13:52:00.009-04:00

One of the things that I love to say during children’s sermons on the Sundays following Easter Sunday is “Happy Easter.” I usually get a response of incredulity from one of the children. “It’s not Easter,” they will often say.

Well, it is! And while it is easy to forget that it is a season, Easter often quickly fades away from our memories as we move on in our churchy rituals and our rites of Spring. Far too quickly, we forget that moment when we hear that Christ is Risen.

Unfortunately, Easter that falls this early only leads to people taking an early break from church. It is easy to forget our joy, it is easy to forget that it is Easter. There is much to be done as Easter people as we proclaim the wonder of the resurrection.

On Easter Sunday, I shared a message with you about experiencing Easter like it was the first time. I was encouraging us to think about what it was like for those who first approached the empty tomb and heard that Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified, was not there. If you remember from the Gospel of Matthew, the women who visited the tomb, left with fear and joy.

As Easter people, we are to experience our life as if we are experiencing something for the first time.

On Monday following Easter Morning, we took the kids for an adventure. They had been asking about the falls of Beaver Falls for many months and so we decided to take them to see one of them. I dared not take them to the falls between Beaver Falls and New Brighton, I think that would have disappointed. So we headed to Buttermilk Falls.

I had only seen the sign from the road, so I was completely unaware of what surrounded us. As we made our way past an historic quarry and a stream, our daughter quickly went ahead of us.

In almost a startling voice, she cried out, “Oh my Gosh – come and look at this!” Of course, we quickly made our way up the hillside and discovered what she had already seen. A truly spectacular scene!

A waterfall; God-created, flowing, living, and breathtaking. It was unexpected and truly a joyful experience for all of us.

Hopefully, you are experiencing Easter in the same way. A joyful experience of newness, a resurrection that is God created, living, breathtaking, and wonderful. I hope that you will experience the spring that is being revealed to us each day this week, with newness and joy, and even a bit of fear.

Happy Easter!

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

FYI

2008-04-01T08:01:00.003-04:00

For my meteorologically and astronomically challenged ecclesial brothers and sisters, I would like to clear up some confusion. It is spring. It is raining today. And Brett is a big loser. Actually, that was for those who are physiologically and socially challenged.

Is It Spring Yet?

2008-03-18T13:41:00.004-04:00

On the way out of church on Sunday, there was a flurry in the air. As I let out a rather loud sigh, I was reminded that it wasn’t but a few months ago that I was celebrating snow. Now it seems in many ways that I am now contradicting myself with my lament. The truth is that we do live in Pittsburgh and we should expect this kind of weather. It was just 15 years ago that we experienced the Blizzard of ’93 on March 13. So with just a few flurries in the air, I shouldn’t be complaining.

As I sighed, I tried to explain that the earlier post about winter is all true. I love snow, and I love winter. But there comes a time in the season when that feeling wears off and I begin to look forward to spring. Regardless of what the furry rodent says, I am never ready for spring on February 2nd. But now I am.

But this year, I am more anxious for spring than other years. I think it has to do with several things. The first is the time change that already happened. This is the second year that we’ve experienced the earlier shift. Couple that with what is the earliest Easter in my lifetime and I think that I am growing anxious. In previous years, spring happens on its usual day, and I probably wouldn’t think twice about it. But for some reason, daffodils are an early signal of spring, and that hasn’t even happened yet. I’m anxious for spring and an early Easter is the capstone of the entire feeling.

But warm weather and sunshine will have to wait. We have a week of rain, snow, and low pressure systems in the forecast.

Sunday is Easter. It is earlier than ever before in my lifetime, but nonetheless it is Easter. I am anxious, but like the warm weather, I will have to wait. For before the Easter Celebration is the rain, snow, and low pressure system of Holy Week. Before Easter, Jesus Christ must go through the pain and agony of the cross. He must go through it – so that we can get to Easter. We too have to go through it.

One of my favorite hymns talks about this spring and Easter moment for us, “Hymn of Promise.” While the hymn best talks about the hope of resurrection that awaits us all as part of God’s plans in eternity, I think it speaks well to the promise of Spring and the promise of Easter as well.

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, and apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. (Words by Natalie Sleeth).

It’s Winter, but Spring is just around the corner. It’s Holy Week, and Easter is coming!

My prayer is that you will experience Holy Week in a whole new way this year, either through scripture reading, attending a production with your children, or even in worship. Come and share in the experience of winter, so that when Sunday arrives, you can celebrate the good news that God has overcome death, the victory that is unrevealed until its season. God sees it, and I hope that you experience it new this year.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Breaking News!

2008-03-12T12:57:00.001-04:00

If I were to begin to tell you how I arrived at my thoughts today, it would take longer than time permits. So if you will indulge just a little, I will tell you that I have been thinking a lot about how the media covers certain events. It has struck me as fascinating recently how information is shared, what information is shared, and how it is that media can sometimes have an influence on what we think, how we feel, how we vote. Anyone can be an expert in something, everyone has an opinion, and everyone is trying to get a cut of the attention.

I guess in many ways that is no different than these random thoughts being scattered across cyberspace today.

That, combined with my thoughts about Holy Week and my preparations for it has me thinking a lot about how Jesus is portrayed in the media. I can almost count on one of the news magazines doing a cover on Christ either this week or next. I have several from years past. Headlines like, “The Real Jesus,” or simply “Jesus Christ,” cause us to reflect on the life and career of Jesus. Sometimes in those magazines, very little is shared about the “message of Jesus.”

So with that said, I really have been thinking about how Jesus would be portrayed today. If Jesus was 33 again, walking the earth, sharing the message of repentance and salvation, I just wonder how it would be portrayed in the media. Would it be a rolling script at the bottom of the screen? An interview? Some expert offering their interpretation of the message or a psychological analysis? Would there be predictions about the time it would take to offer a resignation, or conversation with an “insider whose identity has been concealed” to protect his/her family?

I say all of this because Jesus had a hard enough time without the media. I almost caught myself thinking, “the media would crucify him!” Ok, I did think it and then I wrote it! It didn’t take much for the message to get around. Certain events had a life of their own and were catalysts to his ultimate demise and death.

But would it have taken him that long to end up on a cross, or would we have brushed him off much sooner because an exit poll said that he was behind in the polls?

If there is one thing that I am thinking about these days, it is the media. There will be a lot of opportunity to hear what the media says, but I invite you to read what the original source said about the life and the times of Jesus. As you enter into Holy Week in just a few days, crack open the source and see what it says. I know that when you do, you will see that the original will add much to your days and weeks that lead up to Easter.

To be sure – those who were distracted by Jesus message found him to be a trouble maker. But it is through that message and his death on the cross that we live.

This week is Palm Sunday and we will be gathering to hear the message that invites us to Follow Christ to the Cross. Come and get your palm and try to twist it into a cross. If you can’t do it, I bet you someone will. I look forward to beginning Holy Week with you in Worship.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Time for a Check-up

2008-03-10T10:11:00.005-04:00

This morning, I finally put off procrastination and took number 1 to the orthodontist. It was a year ago that the Dentist told me that we should be going, but I put it off. I think it was a combination of things including fear of monthly payments, fear of the unknown, fear of taking my 9 year old to the orthodontist and reliving my own awkward years with metal-mouth, and finally fear of vicariously gaging while she received impressions. Maybe there was also the part of me that didn't want her to grow up!

So I'm sitting there watching her get evaluated, and photographed - and I actually caught myself doing what the assistant was asking her to do. "Open up" - I opened my mouth. "Lift your lip up" - I lifted mine. "Tilt" - I tilted. I felt like a psychological experiment gone wrong. Pavlov's dog. Sit Ubu, sit! Good Dog!

Well - thank God she received my big mouth and she doesn't need to be seen for another year!

Time for a Tune-up?

2008-03-05T12:06:00.002-05:00

I once had a professor at Duke who admonished our class not to put illustrations into folders for use at a later date. He related his own experience of those illustrations or experiences being outdated or forced into sermons. The same could be said about current situations or current events – we sometimes use them or force them into situations. But his point was simple, if something happens and it’s relevant, use it!

OK – point well taken. There have been several things that have been happening in the ministry of the church, and in many ways they are all related. Regular attendees would probably not see these things in action for they are more administrative details and things that happen behind the scenes. Let me try to describe the events.

The first happened on Monday. I was given the task of evaluating and reviewing a program that we offered last fall. The program was made possible by a grant through the United Methodist Foundation. (Did that sound like a public television broadcast?) Following the receipt of a grant, the recipient is responsible to report the progress of the program, which usually involves reporting how the money was spent. It is a measuring tool.

Today, I am preparing a presentation to our Church Council on how important it is to provide focus to ministry through a Vision Statement. Vision Statements are measuring tools by which programs can be administered and evaluated.

Finally, an organ tuner just arrived. For those of you who have ever had to sit on the other side of a wall from organ tuning, it is an eyebrow furrowing, ear twitching experience. You don’t know that an organ is out of tune until two like notes are played together and you can actually hear the sound waves clashing. The tuner meticulously moves from note to note to measure, and fine tune the instrument.

All of these events combined have me thinking about a mid-lenten evaluation. Maybe it’s the time for us to measure where we are on this Lenten journey as well as where we are personally on this walk of faith. Maybe it is a wonderful opportunity to make a mid-course adjustment to your commitments that you’ve made to the church. Questions you can be asking are: am I spending time with God; am I attending worship regularly; am I serving the Lord and those God is calling us to serve; am I regularly praying and moving myself forward on this journey to the cross?

The prophets in the Old Testament often used the image of a plumb line or what some call a plumb bob. It is a weight at the end of a line of string. It is used in construction to measure the up-rightness of a wall or building. Holding the line at the top of a wall, the weight would hand down straight. Today, contractors and home improvement geeks use levels to determine if something is plumb.

The Lord showed the prophet Amos a plumb line to let him know that we need to be measuring and evaluating and assessing our lives constantly. So I guess I have just one question – How are you doing on this walk of faith? Do you need a tune-up or mid-course adjustment? What will it take for you to get your wall of faith back in line?

My prayer for you this day will be that you are plumb, and if you are not that you might be given the tools and the strength to make those little adjustments so that you can stand upright and righteous before the Lord.

This week in worship we will be continuing our series on Following Christ and removing our own preconceived notions of life as we follow Christ to Hope. I hate to tell you this part – Its daylight savings time this weekend. Remember to set your clocks ahead! I look forward to seeing your tired eyes on Sunday.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

My Frequently Unread Blog

2008-02-29T13:08:00.003-05:00

I am going to post a comment over here, on my frequently unread blog. My wife told me to tell you that she reads my blog.

Does anyone know the words to "the Rose?"

Leap Day

2008-02-29T10:32:00.001-05:00

I was feeling a quarter of a day off recently, so am I glad that today is Leap Day. I can get caught up.

Choosy Lovers Choose Jif - I mean Jesus!

2008-02-26T16:03:00.003-05:00

Well, it’s official! The church is just another thing for which people shop. A recent study that was released by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, states that more and more people are shopping for churches, and brand loyalty is a thing of the past.

Actually, I am surprised that it took this long for it to be stated in a report, because I think that many people have known it for a long time. In fact, I think that others have done studies that have stated the very same thing, but this story is acting much like Punxsutawney Phil’s pronouncement on February 2nd, it states the obvious.

I read stories on this very topic twice in the past 12 hours. One of the stories from Time Magazine was forwarded to me, and the other appeared in the Post Gazette this morning. Both stories report the findings of the survey conducted by the Pew Forum, but I guess I wasn’t as surprised by the findings as the authors of the articles.

Quite simply, while Americans claim to be religious, almost a quarter of people who responded have “switched” denominations and even faiths during their life time. Christians still dominate the American landscape, but Protestants are losing their majority slowly. Many people experience shifts in their lifetime as families begin to experience church differently than they did in their upbringing.

You have probably seen this in your reality. People may claim to be “Catholic” but do not attend, or “Protestant” but don’t know a denominational affiliation. Most people today will shop for churches that meet the needs of their families or find someplace where “everybody knows their name.”

Branding is a hot topic in church administrative discussions, but the truth is that from this perspective, I think it is probably most important that we do our best as a church at proclaiming Christ and him crucified, and if it is as a Methodist or a Catholic – great. Working for the Kingdom of God should be our most important objective. Transforming lives and families should be our chief goal.

In the twenty-forth chapter of Joshua, I think it talks about this article. "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

If you ask me on a normal day, I’d probably tell you that I’m a United Methodist. However, it is most important for me to be a Christian; to love others, and most importantly to love God. And as for me and my house – we will serve the Lord.

This week in worship we will continue to Follow Christ in our Lenten Journey. My message will be on opening ourselves to the prospect of faith. I look forward to seeing you and greeting you as a brother and sister in Christ as we seek to serve the Lord.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Give Gratuitiously

2008-02-19T18:05:00.002-05:00

If you have heard me write about this before, it is probably because it comes from one of my favorite passages of scripture. The passage suggests how it is that we can live as true Christians and in many ways it talks about how we can live in relationship with one another. It has been used in weddings, it has been used at funerals, and I often use it as a simple way of remembering our task.

We are called to love. You could say that it is a basic task, a basic obligation, a basic human response to our lives. Love should not be a response to something, yet a response to simply living. Love and loving abundantly should just be what we do, it should just be who we are.

Paul wrote, “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:9-12

I remember when I was a child, there was a little comic that was entitled, “Love is.” I remember them more because my sister used to cut them out of the paper each day and collect them. I guess she was in her romantic teenage years and much of what they said, spoke to her. (If she reads this – I’m not going to get much love.)

We are being most human, most Christian when we love. And yet, for so many this is one of the hardest things to do. We have to be reminded of love, we have to be taught love, we have to respond to love – yet it is just what we are supposed to be. It is a basic human sentiment. It is so basic, that Christ reminded us that there were only two things that were important – Love of God, and Love of Neighbor.

I have been thinking a lot about Love in the past few days. It is probably a good reminder for me as I read that passage from Romans, that we are called to love, and it is to be genuine and filled with passion.

Henri Nouwen, in his book, “The Inner Voice of Love,” writes:

Your love, insofar as it is from God, is permanent. You can claim the permanence of your love as a gift from God, and you can give that permanent love to others. When others stop loving you, you do not hae to stop loving them. On a human level, changes might be necessary but on the level of the divine, you can remain faithful to your love.

One day you will be free to give gratuitous love, a love that does not ask for anything in return. One day also you will be free to receive gratuitous love. Often love is offered to you, but you do not recognize it. You discard it because you are fixed on receiving it from the same person to whom you gave it.

The great paradox of love is that precisely when you have claimed yourself as God’s beloved child, have set boundaries to your love, and thus contained your needs, you begin to grow into the freedom to give gratuitously.

In many ways, this love that is given freely can only be given as a response. It is a response, not to what others have given to us, but by the love that is first given to us by God. God loves us abundantly and it is because of that love that we can love others.

I pray that you can claim that love today. Know that you are loved, not only by God but by many.

This week in worship we will continue our Lenten Series entitled, “Follow Me” when we are invited to follow Christ to the Well. I look forward to seeing you in worship this week so that you may know that you are loved gratuitously.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

The Important Things In Life

2008-02-13T12:21:00.000-05:00

How many times in a day do you get one of those emails that offers you a philosophy on life and prompts you to send this onto five of the most important people including the one who sent it to you? I get them quite often, read them quite regularly, but don’t forward them. It’s not a reflection of the person or the message, but many times a time factor. Plus they really have to be the most spectacular thing I’ve ever read. Plus, how would I be able to come up with these wonderful emails that you delete? Just kidding!

I got one of those emails today. Actually it had all of the characteristics of the aforementioned, but it didn’t tell me that I was a heathen if I didn’t forward it. It was about the important things in life. I read it before, and I read it again.

In a nutshell, it asked if you could remember the five wealthiest people in the world, the last five Heisman Trophy winners, and even some other trivial information. I for one am usually a master of useless knowledge, but even this information is beyond my scope of reason.

It then asked if you could name a few teachers who aided your journey through school; three friends who have helped you through a difficult time; five people who have taught you something worthwhile; a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special; and five people you enjoy spending time with.

You can probably come up with the point of this story and the email, but sometimes these things cause you to think just a little bit about what is really important.

And then there are the times when a real email is read about a real situation, and it makes you take stock even more.

Late yesterday, after being home all day with the kids and dreading the fact that I was not in the office, I received a phone call from a college buddy. Our friend was in an accident in Maryland and was not expected to live. It is so hard to hear about a friend who is married with three children, who will not be with us much longer. So many thoughts go through your head, so much pain and hurt for the family. You remember a friend, and laughter.

And suddenly, you take stock in what is really important! Suddenly spending time sled ridding, building an igloo, and cooking dinner for your family isn’t so bad after all!

This entire time, I have been thinking about a text that I have often repeated, but it is also making a lot of sense today. Matthew reminds us of how Christ told his followers not to worry about tomorrow, which will bring worries of its own. Worry about the important things, and reassures us that God will take care of the rest. It also says, “Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

This E-pistle is a day late – but can you tell I’m not too worried? I value you and I value the opportunity to be with you. Simply writing this today is a cause for me to give thanks for the day, for my God, for you, for my family . . . well I could go on. But for now, I give thanks for today, and hope that you can as well. Remember, tomorrow will have worries of its own.

This week in worship we will continue our Lenten journey together as we hear the story of Nicodemus in John 3. I hope that you will be here and take stock in what God has given you this week. I look forward to worshipping with you.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Number three lost number two

2008-02-11T10:51:00.000-05:00

Last week, number three told us that she had a loose tooth. For those who know Tracy, you know that the seemingly insignificant moments are huge for her. This is her baby and the last. So to know that she had her first loose tooth was huge. That first one, she delicately wiggled and wiggled. She didn't want anyone close to her. It finally came out just before dinner.

Well this morning as we were waiting for the two hour delay to lapse, she came up to me and said, "daddy, I have another loose toof." Five minutes later it was gone.

P.S. - I just got harrassed for the previous comment about "seemingly insignifant moments."

The Cox Family Vehicle

2008-02-06T10:08:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I had some fun recalling one of our family vehicles. It brought back some memories for me, as well as some laughs.

When I was a child my family drove everywhere for vacation. Other than the fact that I had visited the airport because I was curious about airplanes, I had not been on an airplane until I was a teenager. It didn’t matter how far away our vacation plans took us, we drove. In the early years, it was the Ford Station wagon with the optional faux wood grain paneling – you know the model. I think that the movie Family Vacation was modeled after my father.

My father would set his sights on a particular destination. One such year it was Disney World. We loaded the car the night before with most of the luggage on the roof-top carrier. Bungie Cords fastened it to the carrier - step back because if one got loose, you'd lose and eye.

All six of us would be jammed into the station wagon. I sat where ever I was told. If the others were in the middle, I was jammed in the back with all the sliding luggage. If my brother wanted to sleep back there, I was relegated to the wheel well between the seats.

We drank tab, ate charle's chips and bologna sandwiches, stopped several nights along the way, had tuna fish sandwiches and cold fried chicken. Who can forget the pudding. We always carried that green water cooler from Coleman and quite often it spilled on my sleeping bag.

Of course, what would a family vacation be without many stops along the way. One such stop was Stone Mountain in Georgia. Stone Mountain is a huge granite protrusion that looks more like a bald head than a mountain peak. I don't remember much about that stop other than being fearful that I would slide down the smooth peak once we arrived at the top via the tram.

Unlike Family Vacation, Disney World was open when we arrived. Thank God for the LTD with the flippy lights, the car-top carrier, the hidden seats that flipped up in the back, and the state of the art AM/FM radio, and of course the optional faux wood grain paneling on the side.

To Fast or Not to Fast, That is the Question

2008-02-05T14:48:00.000-05:00

For many across the country, today is a day of voting. But for the rest of us, today is a day of preparation. Some call it Mardi Gras, some Fat Tuesday, some shrove Tuesday, and even others call it Pancake day.

Regardless of what you call today, it is a day of preparation for Lent. Tomorrow begins the yearly observance of Lent that will last for the 40 days leading up to Easter. If you want to be technical – it is 46 days long, but Sundays do not count as official observance days. Lent is a time of penitence and fasting, a time of removing obstructions and obstacles in our walk of faith so that we might concentration on the sacrifices made on our behalf by Christ. Lent is a time of conversion where we can grow through repentance, fellowship, prayer and fasting.

For many faithful, fasting means giving something up. This is a more frequent practice in the Roman Catholic tradition, but has some strong merit. Removing obstacles in our lives causes us to be more in tune with the sacrifice. That’s where Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday comes in. Today is the day when we can use up all of the things in our cupboards that cause us to break the fast, such as milk, eggs, flour, and butter.

There have been years in the past when I have entered into a Lenten Discipline of fasting from something. I have given up various things that have caused me to stumble such as Coke, candy, cookies and even caffeine. But unfortunately, my willpower is such that rather than truly fasting or eliminating that item, I substituted it with something else. Many times – that substitution was nothing more that – a substitute. It didn’t prove anything. If I gave up coke, I drank more coffee. When I gave up cookies, I rationalized my devotion to cakes. When I gave up caffeine altogether, I substituted that for having a headache all day and lashing out irrationally.

Personally, I think one of the hardest things to do is to fast entirely from food. Giving up all food for a day is quite difficult. Whether it is the psychological part or the physical part – it is just difficult. I actually tried it several years for one day each week during Lent. Sometimes it worked; other times I buckled under the pressure.

Regardless of what you do during Lent – I think it should be for the right reasons. Don’t give something up, or add something just to accomplish a task or look good. Don’t do it because of pressure from someone else or because “everyone else is doing it.” But do it so that you might be converted. Do it so that you might grow in faith, through repentance, fellowship, prayer and fasting.

On Ash Wednesday, you will likely hear a text from Matthew that says, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” To me that is a reminder that if I do something – it’s going to be to strengthen my faith, not so I can be seen by others as completing a task.

I will do something, but I haven’t decided what – I still have another 10 hours to decide. I invite you to enter into a spiritual discipline during Lent. Regardless of what you do – I hope that you do it for your own personal and spiritual growth.

This week, we begin our Lenten Journey together. I will begin a series entitled, “Follow Me” where we talk about denying ourselves, lifting up the cross, and following Christ. This week, we will be following Christ to the desert. I look forward to seeing you in Worship.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Thoughts on Media Day

2008-01-30T10:29:00.001-05:00

This may be a total ramble, but I need to just say something that has me with my BP elevated. Yesterday was media day at the Super Bowl. I know that the actual Bowl is not until Sunday, but the Super Bowl has turned into more than just a game, but a total event. The event or circus begins on Monday when most of the nations media begins to gather and broadcast from the location of that years game. This year, for those of you out of the loop, they are in Arizona.

During Media Day, Plexico Burress was asked about his impressions of the game. His answer included a statement (no I don't have a quote) that basically said, "We're going to win and the score is going to be 23-17.

Well that's all the vultures needed! That has begun a firestorm of discussion as to the reasonableness and validity of the statement, should he have said it, doesn't this just add to the Patriot's desire to win . . .on and on and on and on.

Some say he shouldn't have said it. I say, yes he should! And here is my point.

Don't you think that everyone playing in the final game of the season should be saying the same thing? Don't you want your team to be in the most positive frame of mind possible? Yes - in fact, I think that all of them should be saying the same thing. Its not arrogance, its just being positive. Realistic or not - you need to believe!

Or would you just rather them approach it this way. "Yeah, we're going to go out there and play, but I'm not going to exert myself and get hurt - why try? The Patriots are going to win anyway."

I am unapologetic - I want everyone on my team believing the same thing. When a decision is made - you all fight for the same thing. When you have a goal in mind, a vision that is set - you fight for it, all moving toward the same thing.

Ok - the next time I have a thought on the Super Bowl, it will be about rotating the location.

Measuring Sticks

2008-01-29T15:53:00.000-05:00

When I was younger, I remember telling my mother or my grandmother how much I loved them. In order to quantify that love and show them just how much I loved them, I would spread out my hands beyond the normal range of any shoulder and say, “I love you this much.” You can imagine that there was a little bit of grunting as I tried to spread my arms further and further apart. I was trying to measure my love.

Often times throughout my children’s lives, they will come up to me with a tape measure and ask, ‘How big am I daddy?” I don’t think it is the number that counts, just the measurement of length that is expressed by putting the end of the tap on the floor and stretching it to the top of their head. Seeing is believing for them when you simply say, “this many,” as you point to the spot on the tape. Children are fascinated by measurement.

Of course, there is always the proverbial “are we there yet?” or “when will we be there?” that begins at the very second you leave the driveway.

I could annoy you all – at least those of you who may know this song – by singing a song from the Broadway production Rent, “Seasons of Love.” It’s a great song that talks about measuring a day, a month, a year. 525,600 is the number of minutes in a year, but the question that is asked in the song is “how do you measure a year in a life.” If I could, I would add audio here, but believe me you would not stop singing it. I think I’ve ruined my night already.

But I’ve been thinking a lot about this issue of measurement a lot recently. I’ve talked about it in conversations in meetings with colleagues and even within the church. What is it that we are doing, and how is that measured in the church? Are we making an impact? Is what we are doing, what we should be doing? Sometimes we use the vision that is expressed as a way of measuring what we are doing. But I’ve been thinking about it even more – pressing the point. How do you measure what you have envisioned?

James Moore tells a story about measurement and our Sunday School Class read it this past weekend. In the story he is talking about a measuring stick.

Some years ago, there was a great professor at Centenary College named Dean Smith. Dean Smith was a saintly man, a brilliant scholar, an outstanding communicator, and a real friend to the students. In one of his famous lectures, Dean Smith talked to the students about how we discover truth and how we determine what is true and false.

After some discussion, Dean Smith suddenly asked the students this question: “how wide is my desk?” The students looked at the large desk and then made their best guesses. A variety of answers range out, “72 inches,” “looks like 75 to me,” “No, 68 inches.” Then Dean Smith said, “These are all pretty good guesses, but how do we figure out which one is most nearly true and accurate?” There was silence in the classroom for a moment, and then tentatively someone said, “Get a measuring stick?” “That’s right,” Dean Smith would say, “To determine which answer is closest to the truth, we have to get a measuring stick and measure.”

Then Dean Smith went to the blackboard. He took a piece of chalk, and in silence, he drew the outline of a cross. With that piece of chalk, he traced over and over the sign of the cross, letting it dramatically sink into the hearts and minds of the students. Then, he stood back and pointed to the cross and said, “Ladies and gentleman, there’s your measuring stick! There’s your measuring stick for truth!” (Moore, Rich in Things that Count the Most, pp 83-84.)

Regardless of whether it is a compass, a clock, a measuring tape or even a young child’s arms, there has to be something that can measure our actions, our truth, our love, our motives, and our lives. That measuring stick in my impression has to be Christ. Moreover, that measuring stick has to be used daily or we will veer off course, be steered in the wrong direction, shoot too far or even underestimate what we are doing. There has to be something by which we measure our life.

The Apostle Paul writes quite simply in his first letter of Corinthians, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him Crucified.” It was his measuring stick for ministry, preaching, teaching and loving. It was his measuring stick for everything that he did. I hope it can be yours too.

This week in worship, we will begin to prepare ourselves for Lent with Transfiguration Sunday. This is the Sunday immediately preceding the start of Lent. Remember that Ash Wednesday services are next week, we begin our Men’s Breakfasts, and on Sunday February 10th our Theology in Film Series begins. But until then, I look forward to seeing you soon.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

It is . . .snowing!

2008-01-22T15:29:00.000-05:00

People say it often, “Greg, you act like a big kid!” My usual response to such a statement is one of gratitude rather than disdain. It is largely true and in my opinion, one that illustrates my personality. I take to heart the admonition from scripture that one must become like a child in order to inherit the kingdom.

Today is one of those days that confirm my child-like spirit. January has been less than exciting in terms of its weather, but today we finally had a prediction of snow. Initially, the reports were less than exciting – maybe less than an inch. But as I drove to work today, it was coming down, and coming down quickly.

There was that child-like inner spirit that was getting really excited. I Love Snow! I have said often that I love snow, mostly because I love all of the seasons. It’s January, and so it should be snowing would be my opinion. I know that it is not a popular opinion, but it’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.

In my first appointment, we lived in the midst of the northern Snow Belt in Western Pennsylvania. To Pittsburghers, that’s what weather forecasters refer to as “above I-80.” Actually, I think it is misleading to talk about “the” Snow Belt. I like to think that there are several belts, and the severity of the snow in that belt just depends on the weather. We lived about 5 miles out of Titusville, and could get walloped with snow. Drive into Titusville, and there could have been a dusting. Drive 5 miles north of our home, and conditions could be more severe. However, the total opposite could be true in any given snow event.

I remember one year while we lived in Titusville, we had snow everyday for what seemed like 14 days. We had lake affect snow everyday in that period ranging anywhere from 6 to 10 inches. I remember because I shoveled our drive and porch everyday, and sometimes several times a day. Even in that much snow – I loved it.

In addition to shoveling, I would take walks in the woods, take Sarah for rides in the snow, and even sled ride with the children of the church. You now see some childlike behavior emerging.

But in spite of the shoveling and the fun, I think what I like most about the snow is that at this time of year, the snow seems to make everything new again. Snow has the capacity to cover up the dirt and the grime, it makes everything clean again.

There is something to be said for us as humans. We need the snow every so often to cover up and make us clean again. It is a chance to see that there is a better way of living. I don’t know about you, but I much prefer the clean to the dirt.

Lent is coming up, and while I suppose it would have been good to wait until the beginning of Lent to talk about this – it snowed today. It reminded me of a Psalm and prayer of cleansing and pardon. Psalm 51 asks God to wash us clean, wash us thoroughly from our iniquity. And then this is the part that I like, the part that I prayed as I was driving in that new, fresh, driving, snow – Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

This time of year, I imagine that there are a lot of us that feel like we need a fresh start, a clean start. It’s only January 22, and we already feel like we need to be made clean. Take a look at psalm 51 – it’s a good prayer, and a good start. You don’t have to like snow in order to ask for it. Just pray it this day and God will bring that cleansing for you.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

The Wonder of It All

2008-01-15T13:17:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had one of those days or weeks where things just seem amazing? You look around and wonder how things fit together, or how a child picked up a talent, or even why the weather is what it is? There are times when the body gives us a glimpse of just how wonderful it is, or a moon is particularly beautiful on a starlit night. Have you ever had one of those days?

I probably have them more than I realize, but this past week has been one of those for me. There are several things that caused me to feel that way and in each instance, I was at a loss for words and explanation – but they did cause me to pause and give thanks for wonder and wonderful things.

Last week in the middle of January, our region experienced temperatures that were beyond my own explanation. Some try to explain it, some try to blame it on certain things that we are and aren’t doing. But then I hear that we broke high temperature records that were set back in 1930. I wonder to myself if people were blaming industry or just allowing creation to take its course. I was standing amazed at creation and how God keeps us guessing. Today it’s cold. It just makes me wonder.

Last week I visited some folks in the hospital. And after every explanation as to what could happen and why something was happening, the human body responds with something that defies explanation. I recall my own experience in the hospital and waiting for a human’s best guess. I left the hospital with no answer. I’m not complaining because at the same time they didn’t find anything. No news is good news – but it had me guessing. It also had me standing amazed at the wonder of the human body.

I also got to see a newborn child who at birth weighed less than four pounds. Defying odds and explanations, I heard others describe children who are perfectly healthy, defiant teenagers who were born at less than one pound. I’ve also heard of children who were born much bigger too. I stand amazed at the wonder of new birth.

And yet, I presided at the funeral of a person who lived 96 glorious years. It was not until the last months of her life that she was hospitalized and moved to a care facility. Again, the wonder of a human body. But yet I know how fragile life can be as we see men and women fall in combat; hear of loved ones diagnosed with terminal illnesses; watch as a friend or colleague suffer from a progressive disease. I stand amazed and wonder how, or why – and yet I can still give thanks.

The entire Bible is full of passages that talk of Wonder and Wonderful deeds, but the Psalms are particularly full of them. I came across Psalm 111 and it spoke to me as I stood amazed.

This week, I’m having one of those weeks – I am amazed. And for that, I give thanks. I hope that you can too.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.

Greg

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

2008-01-08T12:27:00.000-05:00

There is a great hymn that we often sing around Palm Sunday and Easter entitled, “Tell me the stories of Jesus.” The hymn is a particular favorite of mine and it reminds me of children’s parades and waving palm branches.

But for some reason, this morning I caught myself thinking about that song as we approached this coming Sunday. This week is traditionally the Sunday when we read texts relating to Jesus baptism. The Gospel of Matthew recounts the story in the third chapter. While we in the Methodist Church often relate baptism with children, it might be easy for us to miss or temporarily disassociate the fact that Jesus was baptized as an adult.

And that got me thinking. Church time and real time just don’t sync sometimes. It was just days ago when we were talking about Magi and Mangers, gifts and quick get-a-ways to Egypt. And now, just a few days later – Presto Chango – Jesus is a full grown man ready to be thrust into the wilderness and begin his ministry.

I think that’s why I was humming that tune this morning, because I was thinking a lot about some recent discussions about Jesus and his childhood. What did he like to do? Did he know that he was different that other little children running around the villages? Did he ever get disciplined? Did he say please and thank you? There are very few stories that really tell us who Jesus was as a child and what he was like. There is a part of many of us that want to know more of the story. You may feel like a child who is being read a book at bedtime by your parents – don’t try to skip a page.

The Gospels of Mark and John are the two books that begin the story differently – so there’s not a feeling like there is anything missing. But Matthew and Luke give us just a glimpse. But of those two – Luke is my favorite. While it doesn’t give us a year by year recounting – it does give us some rich stories.

J. Ellsworth Kalas notes that one of the clearest understandings of Jesus comes from Luke and that “Jesus was inducted into the faith life of his people from the very beginning of his life. He was the product of a conventionally religious home. When he was a boy of twelve, he made his first great pilgrimage to a religious festival, just as did all Jewish children who were following their faith.” (Christmas from the Back Side, p. 67).

But that still doesn’t tell me if his parents had any trouble getting him to put on his coat this morning even though the forecast was unseasonably warm! (Sorry about that – that was me, not Joseph!)

If you have an opportunity this week – I would invite you to take a look at a rich chapter in Luke. It won’t take you long to read. But reading chapter two of the Gospel will just give you a little more of the story. It is something that I want to hear.

This week in worship, we are going to be hearing a message entitled, “Chosen for Greatness.” We will be focusing on Christ and his purpose – why he came. I look forward to seeing you all this week. I for one am looking forward to some snow – I know that I might be the only one.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.

Greg

Three worst words on Christmas Morning

2007-12-21T12:27:00.000-05:00

Some Assembly Required!

W00t - there it is!

2007-12-18T11:53:00.000-05:00

I once knew a pastor who would often allow the youth of the church to give her a word that she would have to fit into her sermon on Sunday morning. The challenge for the youth was to find a word that would cause some sense of consternation for the preacher, while it was the challenge of the preacher to fit a moot word into her sermon and make it relevant to the sermon.

Someone tried that with me this past summer to see if I could use the word “binturong” in my sermon. I told them that I would have to wait until I preached on Noah the next time. If you don’t know what a binturong is, I guess you are going to be doing some online searching today, along with some of the other words I use.

I like new words, and I have always been told that if you intend on learning a new word, you must use it. It is like a name. If you intend on learning someone’s name, it is said that you must use it immediately upon learning a name.

When learning new words, it is interesting to know its etymology or origins. It gives us some understanding of how the word evolved and how it came into popular use. Sometimes it even suggests why certain languages will use different words to describe something that is the same. For example, do you know why Russians call their space explorers “cosmonauts” while Americans call them “astronauts?” Again, another online search if you don’t know.

As you can imagine, Merriam-Webster is also very interested in words. Each year, they publish a word of the year. It is a word that has influenced the culture in which we live and often is a word that is new or evolving.

Well, you could say that preachers are not the only ones making up new words. This year’s word of the year according to Merriam-Webster is “W00t.” “W00t” is spelled, W Zero Zero t. But what I can’t find in the etymology is where it will be placed in alphabetical order. For that matter, Merriam-Webster doesn't even have it as a word defined online. Curious!?!. And what I find even more curious is that my computer recognizes it as a correctly spelled word.

“W00t” according to Merriam-Webster and the associated press writer Stephanie Reitz is “a hybrid of letters and numbers used by gamers as an exclamation of happiness or triumph.” The word topped all others that were submitted for consideration in an online poll for the word that best sums up the year 2007. Merriam-Webster’s president says that the word is an ideal choice because it is a blend of “whimsy and new technology.”

As you know, the church is observing the season of Advent. Traditionally, the season is a season of preparation and waiting. Repentance is part of the tradition of the church as we anticipate the arrival of Christ both as a child and as King. Colors of purple, gray, somber hues, and more recently blue are used to mark the time. Advent, from the Latin “adventus” meaning “to come,” is translated from the Greek “perousia” meaning second coming.

The Third Sunday of Advent has traditionally been called “Gaudete Sunday.” It is the Sunday that we light the Rose or Pink Candle on the wreaths. It is a Sunday that is more joyous in celebration and anticipation. There is a joyous undertone to the readings and to the day as we anticipate Christ’s arrival and birth. Does that mean that if we were being contextual, we would have called this “W00t Sunday?”

Regardless of whether you are celebrating this week in a joyous tone or by proclaiming “W00t”, I do pray that you are continuing to prepare for Christ’s arrival.

“W00t in the Lord always, again I say W00t.”

This week in worship, we will be lighting our fourth candle on the Advent Wreath. My sermon is “Wake me up when this is all over.” I look forward to seeing you in worship. Remember that this is a season of invitation – invite others to worship with you and give them a gift that carries with it no price tag but will make eternal difference in their lives.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Cliff Claven Moment of the Day

2007-12-13T07:59:00.000-05:00

Hey Norm, did you know that in the original version of the 12 days of Christmas, it wasn't talking about four calling birds? Its a little known fact that indeed it was four "Colley" birds. Colley bird is another name for black bird. Colley means as black as coal, as in collier or colliery.

Just thought I'd share that just in case you are ever on Jeopardy.

Merry Christmas!

Priorities

2007-12-11T11:48:00.000-05:00

On Monday before I left the office, I wrote a brief list of things that I had to do. I occasionally write these lists hoping to remember all of the things that I have to do. I don’t always get to them all, but at least they are written down as a reminder. Sometimes the lists grow as the day goes along. Sometimes things get crossed off the list, other times, items linger.

Those lists often are sometimes more about priorities than lists of items that need to be accomplished. We may have many things that have to be done, but only the really important things get on the list. They become priorities.

I’m thinking about priorities today, because I’ll be truthful with you – this E-pistle was not one of them. In fact, it was lower down the list. The first thing that I needed to accomplish today was a Christmas letter. When that was done, I felt like I could spend some time on this.

That got me thinking about how we prioritize things in our life, especially during this time of year. Unfortunately, there are so many things that have to be done, that it becomes a matter of prioritizing our life and the tasks that have to be accomplished. You may be saying – how is that any different than any other time of year. I guess it’s different because of the pressures to get everything done.

That raises a question in my mind. Are you making worship a priority during this busy time of year or is it falling down the list of things to be done? Are you spending time in quite, in prayer, in devotion; or is it just something that can’t be done?

In a time when we make such a fuss over making appearances at holiday parties because we sent an RSVP, or making sure that we give a gift because it is something that is expected, are we making time for the important things?

Christmas and Advent are seasons of wonder, expectation, love and joy – but they can also be times of busy schedules and trying to meet the demands of everything that we put on our plates. So I guess this e-pistle is a simple reminder that in the midst of everything that we need to do, make sure you take some time for the things that really matter. In the end – I know that you will be blessed.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.

This week in worship, our children will be proclaiming the Word in their Children’s program. I know that this will be one of the special moments of the season. I hope you will make it a priority in your life. Following worship we will share in a congregational meal. Don’t forget to invite other to worship. I look forward to seeing you and welcoming you personally.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Being a Prophet

2007-12-05T16:35:00.000-05:00

On my first Sunday in my first appointment, a young boy walked up to me and proclaimed, “My name is Joel, and I’m gonna be seven in seven days.” My response was, “Nice to meet you Joel whose gonna be seven in seven days.” I could tell that this little guy was loaded with energy and excitement. It certainly was a welcome greeting.

In my first years at this appointment, there were few children. So, in order to put on a children’s play during Christmas, we had to think creatively. In order to make it as simple as possible, we thought of a simple retelling of the nativity with the kids acting out the parts while the adults read from scripture.

As we were dividing parts, there were certain parts that were more popular than others. The first to go were the more glamorous parts like the Kings; and Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus was always reserved for the newest born child in the congregation, so that was an easy part.

But you may remember that before any of those other characters even come into the play, there is this other character named John the Baptist. The Gospel of Matthew tells of him appearing in the wilderness proclaiming a message of repentance.

When it came to finding a child to play the roll of John the Baptist, we were not having much luck; seems that the roll was not as high profile as one might like. Immediately, I thought of Joel for the part. We had envisioned the part simply being one to go around the congregation and shout, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” That didn’t excite him.

So I quickly thought about what might get him to bite on the part. So I described this quirky character as being one who loved being outdoors. He wore a camel’s hair coat and lived off the land. He ate nothing but bugs and honey! I tried to make him as excited as possible. But that didn’t even get him to budge.

So I had to switch tactics because I really wanted Joel to fill the part. I said, “listen Joel, I’ll make you a deal. If you play the part of Johnny B, I’ll talk to your mother about not making you take a bath for an entire week before the play. You can be as dirty and stinky as you want to be – that’s exactly who John the Baptist was!” I could tell I was making headway as his eyes widened.

And with that he blurted out, “I’ll do it!”

It turns out that Joel’s reluctance at 7 years old doesn’t change much as we age. Being a prophet in today’s age is not only an unglamorous job, but it is difficult too. We become reluctant to take on the roll of a prophet for many reasons, but I think that chief among them is that we don’t want to be put in the position of delivering a message that is uncomfortable.

In recent years, there has been this ongoing conversation about whether you should say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. Obviously, as Christians we should be standing up for and saying Merry Christmas as a witness to our faith and as proclamation of what we believe. But moreover, I believe that we should be proclaiming it as a prophetic stance that we believe that Christ will come to be “the Way.”

All of us are acting the prophet’s part as we shop, as we sing, and as we stand in line at the grocery store. You are preparing the way for Christ in a world that needs to hear that Peace, Joy, Hope and Love are possible even in the midst of the chaotic lives that we live. Say Merry Christmas to everyone! You are preparing the way. You are offering others not an uncomfortable word, but Grace.

I invite you to play that roll this Christmas Season. Let me know if I have to speak to your mother about personal hygiene.

This week in worship, the Choir will be presenting their Cantata entitled, “Together for Christmas: a worship experience for the community of faith” by Pepper Choplin. We are excited about the time together. Be a prophet this week and invite someone to worship with you. Extend them not only the invitation, but offer to meet them at the front door so they won’t be so uncomfortable if they are new. Say Merry Christmas to someone just out of no where and prepare the way of Christ.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

As the Deer Pants for the Water

2007-11-25T06:45:00.000-05:00

I'll be taking some time away this week to look for the illusive Buck. It may be panting for water, but I am just looking to put some meat in the freezer. I have been hunting since my time in Titusville, and continue to enjoy it. But there is one thing that I have not yet done and that is bagged the big one! Because I have a doe tag, I intend to fill it. But because of the antler restrictions in Pennsylvania - seeing a buck with at least four points on one side is often difficult. I have seen buck - but often they are too small. So this year as in all the others, I hope this is the year.

At the very least, I will be out in the woods enjoying some quiet time and time with friends. If you're out there - be safe and good luck!

Festivus for the Rest of Us!

2007-11-21T10:03:00.000-05:00

In honor of Brett and his five week's of Advent, this year College Hill has decided to go with Festivus. We have erected a traditional festivus pole out front. High strength aluminum.

Here is an exerpt from the episode of Seinfeld.

Frank Costanza: Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way.
Cosmo Kramer: What happened to the doll?
Frank Costanza: It was destroyed. But out of that a new holiday was born: a Festivus for the rest of us!

On one of the Sundays, I think we will have the traditional "airing of grievances."

Actually though - this is the flag pole that is being erected by one of our young men for his Eagle Scout Project. He should be done soon, but as we were standing around the pole on Sunday as it was going up, someone mentioned Festivus - so I thought it was an apt picture.

Спасибо

2007-11-20T10:34:00.000-05:00

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Moscow, Russia on a mission trip. It was the first time that I had ever been out of the county, as a communicating human. That is a strange way of saying that I had once been to Canada as a toddler. I wouldn’t know it other than the fact that I have seen a picture of me with the caption “Niagara Falls.”

Because it was the first time that I was able to travel out of the county, I was given a lot of advice about traveling and some things that I would need to know in order to make my trip more enjoyable. One piece of advice that I heard often was that you should learn the language at least well enough to communicate some basic words.

In preparation for that trip, I did just that. I purchased a phrase book and began to learn some basic words and phrases. In addition, I also learned the alphabet and pronunciations. Therefore, even though I could not always pronounce words accurately all the time, I was able to grasp the language at a basic level. As we traveled, I was able to pick up on words and phrases other than those I learned from the book. This was especially helpful when we were traveling on the subway – I was able to read the stops and be reasonably confident where we were based upon our maps.

Of the words that I was told I should learn, probably the most important was Spasiba. It is a basic expression of gratitude. I used it often in conversation and you could tell that there was some appreciation on those we encountered a willingness for our learning their language.

I often catch myself today, two years later, using the word around the house and in casual conversation. It kind of sticks with me as a way of expressing thanks. Spasiba is Russian for Thank You.

This week, I am sure that you are doing a lot of thinking of things for which you are giving thanks. But I guess my question is, “Are you actually saying it?” We do lot of preparing, thinking, sitting down, eating, watching football, preparing for shopping the next day – but do we do much giving thanks. Further, do we actually express it verbally?

And I guess that question goes as deep as you want it to go. Have you actually said, “Thank you” to God for those simple things and expressed them in a way that is more just a passing thought? Have you prayed about those expressions of thanksgiving and really said it?

Again, one of the best pieces of advice when I traveled oversees was to learn some basic expressions. I was told that it would make my journey more enjoyable. It would break barriers and express something deep within us. Even if you didn’t know other words – these words would get us past the barrier. So “thank you” was one of those expressions that made the journey more enjoyable. I probably said it more than anything else on that trip – even for the little things.

So I’m going to try to say thank you, spasiba, Dankschen, merci, gracias as often as I can this week. For the food, for you, for the little things, and for the big things, thank you. Thank you for being a part of our lives and Thank God for ways in which he is present in our lives.

The Psalmists talked a lot about thanksgiving. Psalm 100 says: "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

Spasiba and Happy Thanksgiving

This week in worship we will be talking about the end of the world. Actually, we will be talking about Christ the King which is a celebration of Christ’s anticipated return in triumph. I pray that you have a great Thanksgiving Weekend and I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday. “It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.” REM.

Pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

A Classic Double Edged Sword

2007-11-13T14:31:00.000-05:00

As you can imagine, I have been thinking about technology quite a bit over the past few weeks. Having come face to face with the possible loss of information and frustration of losing a hard drive on a laptop computer, I have thought a lot about how I use technology. At the same time, however, I have been thinking a lot about how technology uses me.

Having just turned 37 years old, I feel as if I am not that out of date. I use technology to a point that is somewhat cutting edge. I frequent the Internet, I have a cell phone, I use a palm pilot for my calendar and phone book, and I can often figure things out without using directions (much to the chagrin of my wife.)

Yet that double edge sword reaches into my 37 years, and I realize that there is so much more that has passed me by and I am actually out of touch. Last night I sat and watched my nephew type “text messages” with feverish pitch. It would have taken me 10 minutes to type what took him 10 seconds.

Technology is for me a classic double edged sword. It is both a blessing and a bane, it is both useful and useless, it is awesome and at the same time disgusting.

I love email. I can type emails off to people instantly and know that they will receive it. But if I tried to call them, I may have to leave a message or not get through at all. I love my computer. I can look up a passage in the bible with a keyword, rather than thumbing through a concordance or relying on memory. I can type a letter much cleaner and neater than I would by handwriting a note, and I can have it done much quicker too.

I am itching to move into new areas of technology too. It’s not limited to my computer, cell phone, and my palm pilot. They say that an MP3 player could hold your entire collection of CD’s that linger on your shelves. For some that may be your collection of Moody Blues, or Third Day, Rush, or dare I say Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass.

Yet the very thing that connects and frees us, actually disconnects and burdens us. Substitute the word us for me, me for you, you for whomever you choose. While the technology has allowed us more time, it takes us away from the things that really matter the most.

When my computer was down, I actually had to pick up the phone. When my computer was down, I actually had to write some notes. When I forget my cell phone, I actually have to sit and pray.

Yet I also realize that if I didn’t have technology, I wouldn’t be able to connect like this with you. We are affected by this thing called technology in different ways, but I hope that in the end, we can always be mindful of what our purpose is, and how we use it for benefiting our relationships, rather than substituting them.

It’s amazing to me to think that a type-set copy of the Bible was technology a long time ago. It was the way that God was able to get his message into our hands, to connect with us, and to make himself known. Before that – people had to rely on something different.

So I guess there are benefits to the newest, the latest and greatest. I would however, hope that that will not supplant your personal relationship with God. There is nothing that will substitute for the personal relationship that comes with communicating with God. On those same lines, there is nothing that can really substitute for person to person relationships.

I invite you to come and have contact with a human being this week in worship. We’ll be using some technology from various periods in our history, but it won’t substitute for our personal relationships that we have with each other. We’ll have an opportunity to give thanks for so many things as we prepare for our Thanksgiving Holiday. I hope to see you in worship. Until then,

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Just a Little Reminder

2007-11-06T12:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, the girls were home from school. It was an in-service day and also a day for parent teacher conferences. They have enjoyed being home and having a few days of rest and a few days to stay up late and sleep in too. Last night we even let them stay up later than usual so that they could watch a little of the Steelers game.

Mondays are usually a day for me to make lunches for the kids, but because they were home for the day, I had a reprieve. But what made the day even more special was that they actually made lunch for me! Tracy helped them put together the lunch so that it wasn’t just Kit-Kats and crackers. Just to be sure that I knew it was mine at the office; they even put my name on it!

It was a great lunch – a sandwich, a banana, and some yogurt. Perfect! But what made the lunch even more special were the notes that I found in it. It was a great day – three notes from my girls and a card from Tracy!

Each one was special because it reminded me that I am loved. They each put their special personal touch into the notes, saying something special. Bekah had a chart, Elisabeth shared a scribble, and Sarah even included a scripture verse from Philippians 4:19. “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” There was even a little P.S. – eat well.

I know that I am loved and I know that my life is even more rich because of it. I also know that I am loved by God, and because of that love I am able to be who I am and seek the transformation to which God calls me. But isn’t it good to be reminded of that every so often, to read it, and to have it be said?

There are so many people in the world who don’t know that, and I think that is unfortunate. People don’t get notes in their lunches, and people don’t even express it personally. That’s why I think we need the church and I think it is why we need to constantly hear that God loves us. We need to hear, express, and know that God is love.

Maybe you know this, but you are loved. If it’s not by someone very close to you, I do know that you are loved by God. And the scriptures are that reminder for us.

So, today I think I will just send you a note reminding you that you are loved. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that who ever would believe in him would live for ever.

God loves you. Maybe you knew that. But if you don’t, I’m sending this to you for a little lunch reminder.

This week, we conclude our congregational study, Treasures of a Transformed Life and we will be celebrating Consecration Sunday in Worship. Rev. Fred Leasure from the United Methodist Foundation will be preaching. I look forward to seeing you this week. Remember, whatever you commit to in your prayers, presence, gifts and service, God will supply us with everything that we need through Christ. I think I found that note in my lunch this week and in scriptures too!

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Goin' Old School

2007-10-21T06:58:00.001-04:00

On Friday, just as I was about to prepare to write my sermon, my computer crashed! So I quickly went to a local establishment where a "Geek" is looking at it. He cleverly laughed and said that this was usually a hard drive issue, but they would run a diagnostic on it.

So long and short of it is that I will not be doing much on a computer from the office this week. Not a problem for most pastors, but when the office is thirty minutes from home, it is.

So, I'm thinkin' about goin' old school this week. I'm thinkin' typewriter, ditto machine, model T. I don't know - I might even try to borrow a horse to see what it's like to get to work.

I just hope the Nerd Herd can recover some of my data so I don't have to reinvent the wheel too.

See you all soon.

Dirty Job?

2007-10-16T14:28:00.000-04:00

Do you have a repertoire of channels that you watch on television? Yes, maybe I should have first asked if you watch television. But I assume many of you do, so I asked the first question.

It’s rhetorical. It’s rhetorical, because it just opens the discussion and allows me to say that I do and I’m probably not alone. My channel surfing generally begins in the early channels and moves quickly to the sports channels. But it doesn’t take me long to get to the Food network, the History Channel, and ultimately to the Discovery Channel.

I don’t know why I go to the Discovery Channel so much, but I think it’s because I’m learning something new. I guess that’s why they call it Discovery. Some of my favorite shows on the channel are “How it’s Made,” “Myth Busters,” “Man v. Wild,” and even “Cash Cab.” The latter is less educational, but interesting if you’ve ever seen it.

But my favorite show recently has been, “Dirty Jobs!” Have you seen it?

The premise of “Dirty Jobs” is that the host, Mike Rowe, explores the less than glamorous world of jobs that people do each and every day in less than clean conditions. He calls them the unsung heroes of our lives. They do things that most people will not do.

The Dirty Jobs Website says this about the show.
Our brave host and apprentice Mike Rowe will introduce you to a hardworking group of men and women who overcome fear, danger and sometimes stench and overall ickiness to accomplish their daily tasks. Not one to just stand by, each week, Rowe will assume the duties of the jobs he's profiling, working alongside rattlesnake catchers, fish processors, bee removers, septic-tank technicians and other professionals: average folks tackling extraordinary tasks that simply must get done.

At the end of Dirty Jobs, the producers invite people to write to the show if they think that they perform a dirty job. Presumably, Mike Rowe will come and experience their job first hand. It makes me think about all of the dirty places that I’ve been where people work. I keep encouraging a friend to write about the foundry where they work – it certainly is a dirty job. And then there are all the jobs that I used to see performed on the farm just below our first church in Titusville.

I have actually thought about it from a personal perspective too. I wonder if what we do in the church would qualify as a dirty job. I have a picture on my bookshelf of a mission trip with Habitat for Humanity; I was pretty dirty in that picture. I have some pictures from Russia in our work at the United Methodist Seminary. I even think about painting someone’s home, sorting food, serving homeless at a soup kitchen, or even meeting someone on the streets who most people pass on a daily basis. Does this qualify as a dirty job?

But aside from the few pictures and examples that we can submit – I wonder again, does what we do as a church qualify as a dirty job? Do we do it daily, do we do it enough?

Recently, the church began a Visioning process. The Vision Team has set out on a journey to discover where God is calling us to be. The process and the vision is supposed to engage us and stretch us to points of being uncomfortable. A vision helps us define who we minister to, and a vision helps you decide when you choose to act and what to do. Sometimes, Vision calls us to get our hands dirty and go to the places that we do not want to go, but sometimes where God is leading us to go.

In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about the judgment of the nations and warns us about how we will be judged. I think it’s pretty explicit and calls us to do the things that might land us on Dirty Jobs. It may just call us to do things that we take for granted, and calls us to places that people do not normally go.

Do we do enough? Are we getting our hands and our feet dirty for the sake of the cross? Are you going to the places that no one will go? Where will you be when the Son of Man comes in Glory? For that matter, will I be on my Lay-Z-Boy watching Dirty Jobs, or will I be out there performing one?

“God, we know where we are supposed to be, and yet we are sometimes afraid. Call us to the places of need in our community and in the world, places where we might just get a little dirty for the sake of the cross. Protect us and give us strength, for in all ways we trust you and we do it for you. In Jesus Name. Amen.”

This week in worship we continue with our Congregational Study and talk about the importance of Presence in church. You have to come to hear it and you will understand how important it is to be here. God wants you here, the church needs you here. I look forward to greeting you here.

I have to go now to submit my proposal to Dirty Jobs.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

The Face of Christ

2007-10-09T12:40:00.000-04:00

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.”
1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Recently, College Hill Church completed a major undertaking: a church pictorial. For those who have ever been involved in the process, you will know that it is no small undertaking. It takes many people to complete the task of arranging all of the details necessary to get everyone in the church photographed, and then making arrangements for publishing.

This year as part of our 100th Anniversary Celebration, our directory was quite involved. The company that photographed the congregation and published our book provided us with many opportunities to make it a great directory. In addition to the directory, we were able to get welcome brochures published as well as a Portrait Mosaic.

Over the past few weeks, we have received the directories and began to hand them out. In a separate shipment, we then received the welcome brochures and the Mosaic. To be honest, it was the Mosaic in which I was most interested.

The Portrait Mosaic is literally what it sounds like. It is a mosaic using all of the pictures from the directory. In our case, we chose a Mosaic of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. It reminds me of a stained glass window that I have seen from time to time.

If you have ever looked at a mosaic, you know that when you stand close to the artwork, you may not see anything except the material that was used. Sometimes it may be small rocks, or clay pieces. Sometimes children will make mosaics out of beans of different colors. In order to see the true work, you need to stand away from the art. When you do this – you see!

When I first opened our Mosaic, what I saw were the faces of the congregation. Each portrait that is in the directory is part of the Mosaic. I had forgotten which image we had chosen, so initially, I was unable to see the real image. I had to step back, and when I did, I finally saw it. It was the face of Christ.

As I stood there, I had an overwhelming feeling come over me. It was quite amazing for me to see all of those faces from the church making up the face of Christ. I said to myself as I stood there, “We are the face of Christ.”

Sure, we may understand that from an immediate standpoint. We often say that we are the church, we represent Christ, and we do his work. We even go to great lengths to understand ourselves at the Body of Christ. We read from Paul’s words in First Corinthians that we are baptized into that Body, but have we ever seen it in a portrait?

This mosaic is really making an impact with me this week. It is really causing me to think about our ministry and what it is that we do as a church. I hope that the image is not just an image though, but something much deeper and more meaningful. “We are the face of Christ” tells me that we have a job to do – and there are needs that must be met. We may just be the only face of Christ that people see!

Have you ever thought about that? More importantly, what are we doing about that?

St. Theresa of Avila wrote “Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion for the world is to look out; yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now.”

You are the face of Christ! That is a powerful statement, but even a more impressive image. Yet, I hope that it is more than just an image of what people see, but what they will experience from you this week. That will be my prayer.

“You have made us in your image, O God. And we simply pray that you would use us. We are your hands and your eyes. We are your feet, we are your body. Help us to reach out to those who are in need this day. We pray these things humbly, O Christ. Amen.”

This week in worship we will be continuing our series on Transformed Living. Our sermon will focus on prayer and drawing water. I look forward to seeing you all this week.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

Dumpster Diving

2007-10-07T18:54:00.000-04:00

So this has no theological implications whatsoever, but I thought I'd let you in on something stupid that I just did.

Had pizza for dinner tonight from one of our favorite pizzerias. Tracy had a meatball sub. All very good.

Following dinner, I thought I'd be a good husband for once and take the pizza box outside to the dumpster. Yes, we live in a church parsonage next to the church, so we use the dumpster.

Came back to the wife who is doing dishes who summarily asks, "Did you bring back the pizza cutter with you?" To which I responded, "no, where is it?"

Her response, "In the pizza box?"

Did I go get it? Your job is to now complete the story just like an old fashioned Mad Lib.

Turn It Up!

2007-10-02T09:45:00.000-04:00

Many of you know that I have been attending the YMCA since May of 2006. It was around that time in my life that I realized that I needed to make some lifestyle changes or I was going to be on a quick path to self-destruction. Over a period of years, my weight had been increasing and I was feeling awful most of the time.

In order to lose weight and get into shape, not only did I need to change what and how I ate, but I needed to add some physical activity to my lifestyle. I accomplished that part of the routine by joining the Y.

Over the past eighteen months, I have done a lot at the YMCA. I work out on strength training machines, cardiovascular machines, and I even swim on occasion. I mix things up so that my body doesn’t become too used to one routine. I enjoy going to the Y – it gives me a chance to manage my response to stress, and I have improved my overall health.

As I participated in the various cardio activities at the Y, I began to hear a lot about a cardiovascular class called Spinning. I would watch the participants work extremely hard and often say that I would try that someday. At first, I was a little apprehensive. I didn’t know if I would like it and didn’t know if I could handle it physically.

But about six months ago, I finally took a Spin Class and I was instantly hooked. If you don’t know what it is – Spinning is a form of studio cycling. It is a cardio class taken on a stationary bicycle. Participants follow the lead of an instructor who takes the class through a series of movements that mimic outdoor cycling. Pace as well as resistance vary throughout the hour. It has been said that it is one of the most taxing and efficient cardiovascular activities. Different instructors have different styles, and different instructors offer different classes. There are classes for all levels from beginners to advanced, and there is even a class for seniors.

Long and short of it – I love it! I take the class about 2 to 3 times a week. By the end of an hour class – I am usually exhausted and soaked. And for those of you who have seen me sweat – you know that is not a stretch.

Recently, one of the instructors has been encouraging participants to “Turn it up!” She reminds people that if they are not challenging themselves, they are not going to make any gains. Different people have different goals, but you should be setting them and challenging yourself to make a difference in your own fitness life. Each person is different, and only you will know if you are challenging yourself. I can even hear it now, “If you’re not challenging yourself, you need to turn it up!”

Do I take that personally? I Sure do! I think about it every time it is said. I think about it from my own personal life and how much I have been able to do since I began taking the spin classes. Am I challenging myself? Am I doing everything I can to take the next step?

This coming week, we formally begin our Transformed Living Study at College Hill. In many ways, you can say that it is God’s call for us to “Turn It Up!” Think about it from your own personal perspective. Maybe you have been one of those people who has just been running through the routines of church and now it’s time to really take a step forward toward transformation.

As part of the study, you will have the opportunity with everyone in the congregation to read a book, participate in a small group setting, and hear messages during worship that are specifically geared toward your own personal transformation. Each person is different and only you will know if you are challenging yourself.

At the end of the study – you should notice a difference. Are you going to sweat? You might. Are you going to be challenged? I think so. But only you know whether you have put yourself into the study. To mimic the spinning philosophy – it’s your ride. But I do know one thing – you will be transformed if you allow the Holy Spirit to work within you to challenge and sustain you on a six week journey of faith.

This week during worship, I told people we are going to memorize Paul’s words during the next six weeks. I think they speak to us and speak to our need to be transformed. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good, acceptable, and perfect” Romans 12:2.

Challenge yourself to be transformed. If you’ve been coming to church for a while, it’s time for you to Turn it Up!

“Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the call to transformation. Some may not be in a position to change much, but we pray that your Spirit would touch and guide us all to a spiritual transformation. Speak to us words of encouragement. Feed us when we are hungry, and give us that spiritual water that we need when we thirst for you. We pray these things in Christ’s name. Amen.”

This week in worship, we begin our series with a sermon entitled, “Transformed Living – Priming the Pump.” If you have any questions about the small groups that are meeting, I encourage you to talk to me. We’d love to have you join us, there is room for everyone. In fact – why don’t you be a friend and encourage someone to join you? See you this week.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

From the world of the Bizarre

2007-10-01T13:11:00.000-04:00

So what's your opinion? Is this Constitutionally protected speech? Or should we curtail obscenity by stopping such behavior? You decide.

God Will Provide

2007-09-25T14:53:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe that next week will be October already. I hope that you have enjoyed the wonderful weather that we have been having. I keep saying to others, “Great Sleeping Weather.” It won’t be long before we will have to start closing the windows at night, and the heat will be turned on. For now, I guess we’ll just have to enjoy the weather we have.

October reminds me of harvest more than November does. Maybe it’s because of all of the late vegetables that you can get at the market, the apples, and the pumpkins. Maybe it’s the hayrides that begin to take place or maybe its just about giving thanks a little early.

In my devotional yesterday, I read a passage from the 17th chapter of First Kings. It begins by saying that there will be no dew or rain, except when God speaks. But it doesn’t take long in that passage for God to speak to Elijah and tell him to go and wait by a river. It is there that God provides for him, more than just dew and rain.

In a related text, today I read from Luke’s twelfth chapter where Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about what they will eat, or about what they will wear. Life is more than food.

As I read that Word, and the Word from the Old Testament, I kept coming back to the same thoughts and the thoughts of October Harvest. More than November, October reminds me of the abundance and the constant supply that we have in our lives.

Think back to a time in your life when you didn’t have to worry about what you would eat or drink. It may be right now, or it may be as far back as when you were a child. Without a doubt there were times when you didn’t have to worry much. I remember with gratitude my childhood years when there was always more than I could ever imagine. It is as if God was supplying my needs through my parents. Now, I am the parent and I am able to provide. Things just happen, food is on the table, and abundance is supplied.

Sure there are times when you have some stress when you are running to the end of the pay period, but God continues to supply even in the midst of those lean times. I imagine that if you went to your cupboard right now, there would be more than enough to make a meal. Maybe the children wouldn’t be thrilled that you were having tuna noodle casserole, but there would be food.

Often times, we take for granted that we have been given so much. We neglect to think about the supply that we have been given even in the midst of scarcity. Abundance is around us, and we should not worry.

Today, I am giving thanks for so much. I am thankful for everything that I have. I am thankful for the gifts that I have received, the roof over my head, my family, and most importantly my life. I hope that you have an opportunity to give thanks too.

“Almighty God, in whom I find life, health, and strength, and through whose mercy I am clothed and fed, grant to me a thankful and faithful heart. In the name and spirit of Christ. Amen.”

This week in worship we will be hearing a message entitled, “When the Game is Over” based upon 1 Timothy 6:6-19. We will begin to distribute copies of “Treasures of a Transformed Life” as we begin our Transformed Living Congregational Study. I hope to see you there.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

News from the Bizarre

2007-09-21T12:52:00.000-04:00

I don't know why I found this - but take a look at this story of a man who was trying to row upstream. Tell me if this is not a metaphor for church work!

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-liresc0921,0,6017627.story

Transformed Living

2007-09-18T11:14:00.000-04:00

Several weeks ago, I walked into the hospital to visit a parishioner. I walked to the front desk to get a room number. I verified that the patient was in the same room, and I proceeded to walk around the corner toward the back hallway.

Before I could take two steps, the volunteer behind the reception desk stopped me and said, “You can’t go that way, the hallway is now closed.”

My reaction, both mental and verbal was, “Gee – when are they going to be done renovating these hallways.” I didn’t get a response.

I was sharing with some of my colleagues who also frequent that hospital about the renovation. We were all surprised that there was yet another “detour” through the hospital. We all shared our consternation over the fact that it seems that the hospital has been in a constant state of renovation for several years.

Just as I was getting used to the new detour, I was reminded of that conversation. I arrived at the hospital to find that this renovation project was shorter than the others, and was now complete. I wondered whether there would be something else under construction soon and where I would be sent next. As I walked down the hall, things did look different and cleaner. I could tell some work had been done. I may not know the purpose, but things were different.

As I was walking down that newly renovated hallway, I also began to think about my reaction differently. I was coming to understand that not only was this new transformation a good thing, but it was also necessary, regardless of how much it aggravated me in the beginning. If there was not a renovation or transformation, the hospital would be the same as it was when it first opened. Moreover, it would probably begin to fail, deteriorate, and move to a point that it was unable to fulfill the purposes of being a hospital in the 21st Century.

That idea serves as a great illustration for our lives as Christians, I think. We must continue to be transformed if we are to continue to be called as disciples of Jesus Christ. We can not, and should not be the same people that we were last year, or several years ago. We should be under a constant state of renovation, as we allow God to work on our lives to make us who God is calling us to be. No matter the detour or the cost, in the end we are different, hopefully better.

Paul’s words come to mind when I think of that renovation project. He tells the people of Rome, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you can know the will of God, so that you will know what is good acceptable and perfect.” That word transformed is important here and it is important for all of us.

In the coming weeks, we are going to be embarking on a church wide study called Transformed Living. Throughout the study, the congregation will be reading a book together entitled “Treasures of a Transformed Life,” studying in small groups, and hearing sermons that tie this all together. The team that has been working on this study is excited about seeing the transformation that happens.
I encourage you to look for opportunities to be transformed in the coming weeks and see how God can work within each of us toward transformation. By the way, it’s only a 40 day detour.

“God of transformation, we open ourselves to you this day and everyday. We open our hearts to your spirit for healing and wholeness, knowing that you are the God of everything in our lives. Help us to seek your will in all that we do, and be gracious in your leading. We pray these things through Christ who saves us. Amen.”

There Are Some Things Money Can't Buy, For Everything Else - There's Cheating

2007-09-17T11:49:00.000-04:00

Video Tape for "Sideline Reporter"- $250,000
A New Hoodie for Bill Belichick - $500,000
Winning Three Super Bowls - Priceless!

Current Events

2007-09-11T10:10:00.000-04:00

Our daughter brought home an assignment last week. It was an assignment on current events and was part of her Social Studies curriculum. It was due today.

The assignment was simple. Find a current event from a news source and write about it. Tell about the source of the article, the title, the date, and the event. Then she was to take the article and describe in a certain number of sentences, the event and the significance for the class.

Easy right?

Not quite! There was a caveat. The article had to include a picture. Further, the current event could not be related to violence or weapons. Not so simple anymore, huh?

The assignment probably turned out to be just as much about being a parent as it was a fourth grader learning about current events. We began by looking at the few news sources to which we have access. I taught her how to find the date, and the title of the source on the newspaper. We talked about the sections and the information that would be found in those sections.

But what was so difficult was actually finding a story that both fit the assignment as well as the constraints. Once you got past being age appropriate for a story, the real struggle was finding one with pictures that didn’t involve violence and weapons. Keep in mind – I didn’t think that sports would fit the bill. That eliminated an entire section of relevant news.

You have probably heard – “if it bleeds, it leads.” In the news last week, that was true. There were terrorists on the covers of magazines. On one edition of the newspaper, there was the picture of a small coffin being carried by teens. They were carrying the body of an 11 year old twin boy who was killed by his brother. With so much news dealing with violence and weapons, it was difficult to find a news article. The one thing that kept running through my mind was, “wouldn’t it be great if there was a story about peace.”

Today, I’m thinking about that prospect a little. Six years ago today, we were planning to travel back to Pennsylvania after spending some time in North Carolina. Our bags were packed, our sandwiches were made, and with the exception of a migraine headache, we were going to leave for PA. But just about the time that we were about to leave, the first terrorist attack on 9/11 happened. Needless to say, we stayed in North Carolina for another day not knowing whether they would be shutting down Interstate Highways, and curtailing all travel.

Six years ago today, 9/11 was the current event. Images would have been flowing in and out of our minds without the hope of escaping them. I remember the same daughter who turned in her project today continuing to ask, “why did bad people do that to us?” Technically, that wouldn’t have fit the assignment either. Violence, once again.

Today, I am praying for peace. Isaiah talks about peace and the day when the house of God will be brought to full recognition. At that time, says the prophet, “He shall judge between nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:4.

Someday, hopefully soon, fourth graders will have nothing but positive lead stories which will be considered appropriate for a current events project. Hopefully that time won’t be too far into the future. And today, as we remember a current event that is still fresh in our memories, let’s all pray for peace.

“Almighty God, how can we not consider peace a possibility today. Our minds recall so much pain and violence, so much hurt. Images flood our memories and the terror returns. Help us to seek your peace and assurance each day, yet not forget the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. May the day come soon, when we shall learn war no more. In his name we pray. Amen.”

This week in worship, we will be talking about the parable of the Lost Sheep. I promise no violent images or weapons will be included, but it will be current and topical. The title of the sermon is “Who’s number One!?!” I hope that you will join us.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

It's That Time of Year Again

2007-09-04T13:26:00.000-04:00

What time of year is it? If you were asked that question, you might answer it differently depending upon your mindset, your activities, or even your family circumstances.

It’s that time of year again, may mean that it’s High School Football season once again. Maybe your son or daughter plays in the marching band, or you have a child involved in the sport in some way.

It may also mean hunting season for you. Those of us who don’t hunt in this season probably wondered what the big fuss was over when the State decided to shut down the fire arms clearance site for a few days for upgrades. However, if you were a hunter who enjoys dove season, this issue may be important to you.

Most of us have forgotten that the Pirates are still playing, because the Steelers season begins in earnest this Sunday. Many throughout Western Pennsylvania will be glued to the television this week to watch the “Stillers” battle the dreaded “Cleve Brownies.”

Summer is over, so regardless of what the calendar says, it’s fall – that’s another season. School began for most of our children – so it’s homework season. Before too long, churches will be talking about money – so it’s stewardship season too.

But whether we know it or not, all of the above amount to something very important in the church. It’s harvest season.

I’m not talking about the harvest of all of the fruits and vegetables that is occurring right now, but the harvest of souls. Because what happens whether we know it or not, there is a season that exists right now when people are more likely to come to church. There is something happening right now when people know that its that time of year and it happens right about now, many times during Christmas, and then again at Easter. It’s harvest time because people are more likely to come to church, and they are more likely to respond to an invitation to church.

Sure it happens at other times too, but often times those seasons become intensely personal. Personal circumstances in life make people respond to church differently: change in job status, relocation, loss of a loved one, or even coming to college for the first time.

I have been reading some of the ninth chapter in Matthew’s Gospel recently and began to think about the harvest a lot. In that ninth chapter, Matthew is talking a lot about how Jesus Christ was reaching out to those who are outside the church including the sick, the tax collectors, and the lost – he called them sheep without a shepherd. He then went on to say, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Sure, harvest season is all the time. But sometimes I guess we need a little reminder that there may be someone new to you over the next coming weeks who needs to hear that they are loved, wanted, and needed right here in the church. I think we need that little reminder because each of us has our own priorities in mind at time of the year.

Let’s pray for that harvest. Almighty God, there are so many around us that need to hear your Word in their lives. They are hungering and thirsting for you and for your love. Help us to go out into the fields of harvest that you have made ready, and glean those who have been left behind by the world. Give us strength to see beyond our own perspective and see the needs of those who come seeking the shepherd. In Jesus Name, Amen.

This week in worship, we will be hearing a message on the cost of radical discipleship. My message title is “I Need Your Answer by Noon.” But if worship goes over this week by a few minutes, you can get me your answer then. But even before that, remember that Sunday School starts this week throughout the building for all ages. Invite someone, invite a child, invite a friend – they might just be waiting for an invitation. Hope to see you then.

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg

A Gift

2007-08-28T14:38:00.000-04:00

Have you ever seen some of those shows that “discover” how much something is worth? People find things in obscure locations and find out that it is worth tremendous amounts of money. Often times these items are in near perfect condition, hardly used, and probably seldom enjoyed.

I have often thought about some of the things that have been discovered and think back to the items that I once had: Star Wars toys and figurines, Steel Tonka trucks, and large sized G.I. Joes. All of these toys that I once had could have been on a list of things discovered. Only one problem – I played with them.

I have a doll (I choose to call it a toy) in my drawer. His name is Harry Baby. I don’t think that’s his original name, but it is my name for him. He is a cloth doll with hard rubber arms, head and legs. He has electrical tape holding his head on. His fingers and toes have been chewed off, and he has had several appendectomies. He is my toy, but he was enjoyed by my siblings as well.

If he was not about to fall apart at the slightest breath, I would probably let my children play with him. I am told that it was/is a Madame Alexander Doll. Some might know what that really means, but to me he was just a bald and naked baby doll that I carried around by its neck. I guess if we hadn’t played with him, he could be one of those discovered treasures.

This year, our children received very expensive dolls for Christmas. They are American Dolls. Some children get the dolls and they dress them up and put them on a shelf, only to be admired, looked at, and never touched. When we were looking at the dolls and asking questions of the representative, we were discouraged at one point from even buying a particular doll. “Your daughter is too young for Falicity,” we were told.

When my kids got them, I guess they could have done the same as some children and place them into mothballs, but they didn’t. My parents who actually gave the girls the dolls told them, “these dolls are for play, not show.” Good thing too – I don’t think putting it on a shelf would have worked in our family.

Gifts are an amazing thing. Yet often times we choose to put them on a shelf, or in a cupboard so that they won’t be broken or destroyed. Sure, you may be able to “discover” them later in life, but what do you gain in the meantime. You may also see that the gift goes unused, only to see its value diminished in the future.

I for one am in favor of playing away. My life is much better having played with my Harry Baby and my Star Wars figures, and our daughters are better off playing with their American Girl Dolls.

The Gospel of Matthew tells a story in chapter 25 about talents. It is a parable that talks about being given so much. The characters are just given the gifts, one five, one two, and the other one. They go off each in their own direction, each with their talents. Two invest, and one decides to play it safe and put his on a shelf.

That story reminds me of the gifts that we are given. We have a choice to bury them, put them on a shelf; or use them and discover the hidden treasure that is revealed. It is a story that talks about how God has given us so much, so many gifts. We have a choice to make. We can either choose to neglect those gifts, or use them.

I guess you know where I stand.

Maybe as we move forward into a new year within the church, you should be asking yourself some tough questions. What gifts have I been given? Have I been using them to the glory of God? Am I building the kingdom, or just hoping to reap some benefit for myself later? Finally, how can I use the gifts that I have been given?

Gracious and loving God, you have given us so much. For that we give thanks. But we pray this day that we might first discover what you have given to us and not waste the provisions and the gifts that you share. Embolden us to service, O Lord, that others will come to know you and your great love. In Jesus name, Amen.

Humble Thyself

2007-08-28T10:32:00.000-04:00

Last week on a retreat, our covenant group had some candid and honest conversations about Leadership and moving forward in ministry. We talked a lot about not getting distracted by things that may seem of the earth, while at the same time being Biblically focused and Christ Centered.

Today in my devotion (trying to do that following our discussion), I read scripture not only from Psalm 1, but also Matthew 20. The Matthew text reminded me of our discussion on Thursday and Friday and reinforced it completely. In order to become great, we must be a servant first.

And then I read a great selection from a reading. James Allen wrote in "As a Man Thinketh" this passage.

And you, too, youthful reader, will realize the Vision(not the idle wish) of your heart, be it base or beautiful, or a mixture of both, for you will always gravitate toward that which you, secretly, most love. Into your hands will be placed the exact results of your own thoughts; you will receive that which you earn; no more, no less. Whatever your present environment may be, you will fall, remain, or rise with your thoughts, your Vision, your Ideal. you will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration . . . .

In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result. Chance is not. "Gifts," powers, material, intellectual, and spiritual possessions are the fruits of effort; they are thoughts completed, objects accomplished, visions realized.

The Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build you life by, this you will become.

Leadership is not an easy task. And we must be careful to be mindful of all that God is continuing to bring to us in scripture, thought, prayer, and ultimately service.

Let's pray that we continue to look to God for the Vision of our hearts.

First Thoughts

2007-08-27T16:47:00.000-04:00

Mike Vick made a statement following his appearance in court today. It was not the most eloquent statement that I have ever heard. I question his sincerity and some of the advice that he may have been given.

I was shocked by one statement. After saying that he was going to "turn to God" through this situation, he proceeded to say "I will redeem myself."

Wow! Didn't know that was really possible.

I think he has some more "turnin' to God" to do.

Back to School

2007-08-27T07:05:00.000-04:00

Well, it's that time of year again. Back to school. In so many ways, we are relieved that it is here. Back to a normal schedule, Normal as possible I guess. Trying to put back some routine into a child's life is a good thing. Reminds me that I too need to be back to the things that make Disciples. Let's all pray for the students, teachers, administrators, bus drivers, and all those who work with our children this week. Thank God for their lives and for their influence in our children's lives. May they be good Christian examples.

When the Rain Comes

2007-08-21T11:08:00.000-04:00

It is hard to believe that just a few short weeks ago, our region was on a drought watch. Our water tables had dropped below acceptable levels, and we were being asked to voluntarily conserve water in some areas. How quickly things change.

Flooding throughout the country caused by extreme weather has been the story nationally. Globally, the story has been Hurricane Dean which hit landfall this morning in the Yucatan Peninsula with record winds and record lows for barometric pressures. And locally, the rains have come once again. Rising creeks and streams seem to be the attention seekers these days, but we know that culverts also overflow and basements flood in unusual places as well.

Some of us are lucky during these times. We can simply hunker down in our homes, hope that the lights do not go out, and ride out the storm with a good book. But many are not lucky. Simply the threat of rain has them looking out their doors wondering if the waters will rise. They enter the dark reaches of their life and completely shift boxes and hope that the water heater doesn’t get flooded. They pack up their things, and hope that they have a shelter to which they can return.

I think about those people in these times. Hurricane victims in regions of the globe who have no hope; residents of communities that have no choice but to remain in their homes, no one would buy their house from them; older individuals who find it hard to live paycheck to paycheck let alone try to pay for a new furnace. I think about them.

But I also think about those whose lives are damaged by the difficulties they encounter each day. These stories often don’t make the headlines: People facing cancer treatments, people who are depressed, families enduring abuse, and those whose lives seem directionless.

Those people often feel as if they have somehow been separated from God. But I am reminded that the promise we have is that there is nothing that can separate us from God and his love. Paul reminds us in the letter to the Romans, that there is nothing that can separate us from that great love. Neither life nor death, height nor depth, principalities or powers, angels or demons, and I might add that neither rains nor floods can remove that love. God is with us. We are not alone.

One of my favorite Christian Artists is the group, Third Day. They have a song that talks about this rain and reminds me that even when the rain comes, God is still there.

When the rain comes it seems that everyone has gone away.
When the night falls you wonder if you shouldn’t find someplace.
To run and hide, escape the pain
But hidings such a lonely thing to do.

I can’t stop the rain from falling down on you again.
I can’t stop the rain but I will hold you till it goes away.

When the rain comes you blame it on the things that you have done.
When the storm fades you know that rain must fall on everyone
Rest awhile, It’ll be alright
No one loves you like I do.

I can’t stop the rain from falling down on you again.
I can’t stop the rain but I will hold you till it goes away.

When the rain comes I will hold you.

Let’s pray for those experiencing the rain this week. May God continue to hold them in the palm of his hands.

Almighty God, we come praying for those who watch the rising waters and falling rain. We feel hopeless, but we know that there are those without any hope. We pray that you would restore that hope and remind them that you are present. Hold them, dear Lord, until the rain goes, and the sun reappears. We pray these things in Jesus name. Amen.

This week, we will be hearing a message entitled, “It’s for you” from the prophet Jeremiah. I hope that you have a great week. One more week until school starts in many places, and college students are returning this week. Remember to pray for them too.

Pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.

Greg

From the world of the Bizarre

2007-08-15T11:47:00.000-04:00

If any of you have ever had the pleasure of walking into a toy room with bare feet, you may have stepped on a Lego or something small enough to send white hot streaks of pain shooting up your nervous system. You hop and fume, you may even spew a bowling word or two. If you live in a house with all girls, the small objects are usually something like a Polly Pocket. It wasn't enough that they created small rubber suits that call for nimble fingers. But no, they created hard plastic clothes that stick to Polly and her plastic faced friends' bodies with magnets.

But alas, there is relief! There is a recall! Now I just have to convince my children that Polly and friends needed to go back to the Grinch's workshop.

Well, I bet you can tell that ain't gonna happen. So I guess that I'll just have to keep the magnets out of their mouths, and the hard clothes off the floor.

Gifts that Differ

2007-08-14T12:38:00.000-04:00

“For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function.” Romans 12:4

There are moments in life when you know some things to be true. There are things that we have learned and they become part of our collective understanding of reality. Then there are times when we learn something, and it goes completely against everything that we come to know as truth.

There are also moments in life when you hear something again and it only reinforces ideas or concepts that you have previously accepted. Sometimes, by hearing something again, you hear it differently than you had the first time. You can gain new insights, new ways of thinking, and for that matter, a new energy for moving forward.

That’s how I felt after having attended a continuing education event last week. I am a firm believer in Leadership Development and so having an opportunity to attend the Willow Creek Association Leadership Summit gave me an opportunity to hear some new and exciting ideas as well as being reminded of some things that I had already come to accept. Further more, I was given new energy to move forward in innovative and exciting ways in ministry.

In addition to hearing from the likes of Bill Hybels of Willow Creek, Carley Fiorina who served as CEO of HP, and Colin Powell, we had a session with business consultant and best-selling author Marcus Buckingham. In Buckingham’s books, he gives new insights to maximizing strengths and understanding the crucial differences between management and leadership.

Buckingham’s discussion centered on his new book “Go Put Your Strengths to Work.” In our society today, most people think that we need to fix the characteristics that are our weakest. However, he argues that we need to build around our strengths and manage our weaknesses. This is counter-intuitive, but it makes a lot of sense.

Think about it. If you want to make a strong marriage, are you going to study good marriages or bad ones? If you want to know what makes people happy, are you going to build upon what makes them happy, or ask them what makes them sad? If you want to know what makes people healthy, are you going to study the well or the sick? He would argue obviously toward the characteristics that lead to strengths. I like that!

Buckingham concluded that afternoon by talking about 4 signs of strengths. First of all, we find success when we operate out of our strengths. There are things that happen more out of our instincts. We can see growth in our lives. Finally, when we operate out of our strengths, there are certain needs that are met; when we fulfill those needs, you feel effective. You can say, “I feel strong when I ______.” You fill in the blank.

Events such as the Leadership Summit are designed in many ways to make personal application. But, they are also designed for leaders to develop other leaders. Certainly there are personal applications, but there are so many that apply to those who sit in the pews. I am looking forward to reading Buckingham’s book. But I am also excited to think about how this applies to the church.

Everything that Buckingham argues is exactly what we find in the scriptures. Paul argues in the book of Romans that each of us has different strengths. In the church we call them Spiritual Gifts. There are some that are more suited to certain activities. Some are leaders, some are teachers, some are preachers, and some are prophets. However, not everyone has the same gift, nor should everyone be doing the same thing.

If we combine those two thoughts, it would follow that maybe what we should be doing is targeting our strengths, our spiritual gifts, and use them rather than complain when someone asks us to do something toward which we are just not gifted. We should be maximizing our spiritual gifts, and managing those things that are just not our strongest.

I know people who have the gift of hospitality. You feel welcomed by them anytime you are in their presence. I know people with the gift of compassion, their heart breaks any time that tragedy strikes. You know people who have the gift of generosity, they would give you the shirt off their back without a question.

Doing those things, and operating out of those strengths only make those persons stronger. They also make the body of Christ stronger. There are also studies that show that when we operate out of our giftedness in the church, we are less likely to burn out, give up, and ultimately throw up our hands in frustration. When we are passionate about what we do, great ministry can happen.

What Buckingham is preaching is something that I needed to hear. Some of his insights were new twists on things that I had already come to know, but some of what he argues just goes against conventional wisdom. However, this idea of operating out of our strengths is exactly the truth that I have come to believe. “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.” Romans 12:6

But I think you knew that.

Won’t you pray for your strengths? “Gracious and loving creator, I thank you that you have given me so many gifts. I am unique and wonderfully made. Use me, O God, for the work of the church that your name might be glorified. Strengthen me for your purpose and toward you will. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.”

This week, Hengust Robinson will be preaching at College Hill. I will be preaching at my home church of St. Paul’s in Allison Park, as part of the 40th Anniversary celebration that is happening over the next few months. They have invited former pastors, and those who have been called into ministry from the church to preach. I am excited about it – it was the place where I came to know that I had some Spiritual Gifts to share. I will miss being with you this week, but know that Hengust will be spectacular! Don’t miss it!

Please pray for me, and know that I am praying for you.
Greg