Ode 17

Success!

In my meditations this morning I was greatly encouraged when I once again read Proverbs 2:7-10, "He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 

I have enjoyed studying ancient wisdom literature since taking a class at Fresno Pacific University in the 80's. If I were to describe my findings I would use one word, timeless. Take heart in whatever your circumstance on this day. If misdirected people have treated you badly, work on...

Leroy Toliver ...a friend

It's hard when friends leave us, especially when it is too soon. That's what happened this past weekend. A dear friend passed away, way too early. Leroy Toliver, a great friend to me and a great friend of our church, suffered a fatal heart attack just past midnight early Saturday morning. My wife and I got the call at 2 AM and immediately went to the house. The EMTs had left the house in a mess...

Good Friday: Don't Forget to Grieve

I found this article in a blog I read called Out of Ur. It is thought provoking so I thought I would share it with you Think about why we call this day, Good Friday.

Blessings.

Don't Forget to Grieve

Why every worship service shouldn't be a "celebration."
by Bob Hyatt

I once attended a Good Friday service where the pastor encouraged us to look at Good Friday positively, to see the crucifixion through "Easter eyes." To be honest, the bright lights and the upbeat music and mood felt to me like a missed opportunity. His intentions were good. He wanted to protect us from feeling defeated as we meditated on the death of Christ. But in doing so, he robbed us of exactly the feeling and experience that Good Friday is meant to give us.

Those of us who inhabit the sphere of "American Christianity" live in a world that doesn't know when, how, or even why to grieve. For us, Christianity is about victory, it's about feeling better about ourselves. It's upbeat, inspiring, short, and peppy. I know one pastor of a large church who once asked his worship leaders not to play any songs written in a minor key. Too much of a downer.

Like all of us, I was hit hard by the events of September 2001. I was up early on the morning of the 11th for a meeting...

A Second Opportunity at Life

At our church we have been talking about the question, "How would you live your life if you found you only had thirty days to live?" I was watching the news this morning when they referenced an email sent out after the crash of Flight 1549 into the Hudson River. Here is a vivid accounting of how a man's life was changed in just a few moments.

Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 8:53 AM

[This is from Gerry McNamara who was on Flight 1549.]

"Thursday was a difficult day for all of us at the firm and I left the Park Avenue office early afternoon to catch a cab bound for LaGuardia Airport.

I was scheduled for a 5pm departure, but able to secure a seat on the earlier flight scheduled to leave at 3PM. As many of us who fly frequently often do, I recall wondering...

Fortify your self concept

A couple of weeks ago I let you know that I am s-l-o-w-l-y reading a book named, The 4:8 Principle, by Tommy Newberry. I am deliberately reading it at a snail's pace because I am attempting to ruminate on each chapter and principle. I want to become a more positive person with a more positive influence on my family and those I come in contact with during my days. This is not a quick read for me. It is a highly recommended book because in my opinion most all of us would benefit by attaining a more positive outlook on life.

Chapter four speaks of fortifying your self concept. While you are out looking for your own copy of the book I thought it would be great to have you ruminate (think on these things over and over) with me on the eight principles Newberry gives for bolstering up your self concept. Trust me on this, I'm...

Give Peace a Chance

Since my team is using Beatles music this week to get our worship theme communicated, I thought this was a great title for a blog posting, but it really came from my reading this morning. Again, I am studying a portion of the Bible from Philippians, chapter four. In this mornings read from The Essential Bible Guide, the writer notes that the apostle Paul wrote this famous passage while in prison. How can one find peace and contentment in such a place? Three keys to giving peace a chance...

A Note From Dad

I talked with Dad yesterday. He had been resting after preaching at his church during their Sunday morning service. I could tell he was pretty well spent. He commented that he did not know how much longer he could minister to his congregation this way.
I said all of that to let you know that my dad is an inspiration to me. He is going to do all that he can keep on doing until his heart beats its last. Yesterday the mere act of getting his suit on, tying his tie and getting out the door was exhausting. There is a determination within him that I admire. I have had moments...

Dad's Laughter and My Ramblings

Psalm 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

I haven't had my morning coffee yet. I was thinking about my dad. I talked with him the other day. He is doing as good as could be expected. One of the most impressive things to me is to hear his laughter. Here is a man who has been told to get his affairs in order for he could go at any time, the doctors say, yet he keeps on keeping on, smiling and laughing through life. When I spoke with Dad I asked matter of factly, "Did you preach today?"
He responded, "Oh sure, that's what I do." Then came the chuckle. I told him that if he's going to keep on preaching he needs to get a chair, sit down, and deliver his sermon. He laughed again and said, "I'll keep that in mind." Dad is glad to be able to spend his days doing what he does, not being laid up in a hospital. He is enjoying his journey until the end comes, whenever that may be.
Which reminds me, I promised God...

A Devotion from a Friend

I periodically like to bring you a devotional from a good friend and coworker, Mike Devine. I liked his posting today and thought I would share it with you.

Psalm 18   ¹⁶ He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. ¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. ¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. ¹⁹ He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

David often found himself in troubles during his life - some of his own making and some not.  This particular psalm is connected to 2 Samuel 22 and has been placed by some as being from the time that David lived with the Philistines, safe for a time from King Saul.  This is a song of deliverance and we have several of our contemporary hymns and songs taken from different sections of this Psalm - (18:2 - The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, [and] my high tower. and 18:3 - I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. are two examples). What drew me to this Psalm this morning is not that it was a powerful Psalm of David or that it is connected to songs of this day, though those things are true.  I had a facebook conversation with an old friend - well, we're certainly not old (smiling), but we haven't connected in decades.  This is a Psalm that she was...

Today We Sang a New Song

Psalm 40:3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.

I feel like the Psalmist that wrote the above scripture. I am floating on a new high. Today marked the beginning of a new era at Sugarloaf UMC. Stuart Greene is our new pastor and his wife Becky is pure joy. It was great to see their excitement today...