Just a Little Reminder

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

Turn It Up!

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

Transformed Living

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.”

Getting Close to the Fire

The secretary of the church just returned from a week of vacation in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Her extended family went away for a week of camping and relaxation.

For all intents and purposes, it was a great week to go camping. There were no major storms that hit their area and the weather was generally cooperative. However, the expectations of warm temperatures were met by the unexpected cooler temperatures that we experienced last week.

The secretary was telling me all about the week and how it was just nice to be away. It was a nice relaxing week away. But, she explained, the evening temperatures were much cooler than they expected. They had a bonfire each night, and some in the family even pulled out some heavy coats.

She continued, “But you can imagine what it was like with 27 people all huddled around the camp fire. By the end of the week we couldn’t get close enough to get warm. By Friday night, we had to build three separate camp fires.”

Have you ever had the experience of talking to someone and get stuck on one thing that the person said to you? You think about what they said, and you don’t hear much of what they said after that? That’s what I experienced when I heard that statement about the fires.

I know that I am probably unlike other people. I sit and hear stories and think about the theological implications. I go to movies and look for the Christ figure. I think about everyday situations and conversations, and look for God.

So back to the conversation; I was struck by the theological significance of that one statement. “Try to imagine 27 people huddled around the camp fire. By the end of the week we couldn’t get close enough to get warm. By Friday night, we had to build three separate camp fires.”

There is a message in that statement. I think the message is about the church and about our relationship with Christ. Often our relationship in church happens in a group. We grow and we grow in our relationship, that sometimes we grow so close that we can’t help but split up into separate groups. Our relationship with Christ is the same way. We are attracted so much by the fire of Christ that burns within us, that we can’t help but to want to be closer to the light, the fire. Sometimes, the only way that we can get closer is to divide.

Last’s week’s E-pistle was about small groups. I called them accountability groups. This is another way of thinking about a small group. It is a group of people getting closer to each other and to Christ. At some point, however, small groups can only get so close – and they need to make more fires.

This campfire made me think of the early church and how it grew. Acts Chapter 2, with which many of you are familiar says,

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. . .Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

We are getting closer to camp fire season; the program year is about to begin. As we move closer and closer to the end of summer and the beginning of what you might call the church calendar year, we will have more and more opportunities to grow closer together and to Christ. One of those opportunities will be in October when the whole church will be studying together, “Treasures of the Transformed Life” as we look at how God is calling us to be the church. You can look at it as time around the camp fire. I hope that you will find those opportunities to get warm and to invite others to the fires of Life and Hope.

Remember, It only takes a spark . . .

“Dear Lord, we thank you for all that you have given to us, and for the message of your love and grace. Help us in these summer days, to grow closer to you and to those we call brothers and sisters in Christ. Give us the opportunities to open our circles to others, to share the message and to multiply those who are being saved. You are such an awesome God. Amen.”

This week, I will begin a two part series on our Sacraments in the church. This week we will be discussing and receiving the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Have a blessed week, and I hope to see you in worship.

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

Greg