Ticking away, the moments that make up a dull day

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!

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!

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

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

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

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?

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

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!

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!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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?

Why do we do what we do?

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?

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?

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!

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

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!

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!

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