Couples in Ministry Retreat

This week Laurie and I were at the Presbyterian Mo Ranch Assembly for the Couples in Ministry retreat. It was a wonderful time of renewal and recommitment. We are recharged and ready for another year of ministry together.

There were seven couples on the retreat. The participants ranged from one couple still in seminary to a couple with 31 years in ministry together and the last 21 at the same church. I found this especially encouraging.

We spent time doing some marriage enrichment and also ministry enrichment. The quote of the week came from an AME Zion pastor who reminded us that God does not want our marriage as a burnt offering.

One of the most meaningful times for me was the date night. Mo Ranch provided a wonderfully elegant meal, and a harpist played while we had intimate conversation and a relaxed unhurried meal together.

A member of our Harper church stayed a Mo Ranch and kept Mignon for us so that we could participate without distraction. This was a wonderful gift.

If you are a couple in ministry I would encourage you to attend this retreat next year. It should be the last week of October again.

Midweek Devotion

This week read the book of Jonah

For Jonah, it would be just perfect if the Ninevites that he tried to run away from were all struck dead by God. It would just be perfect if God would wreak vengeance on that bunch of no-good tormenters of Israel, for they have treated Jonah’s people badly. They have slaughtered them and made life hell. He wanted payback. And that is what he preached “40 more days and Nineveh is toast!” (3:4). Notice his message was totally negative and with no good news. He knows God is angry with them, and he wants just desserts for them. That Jonah is angry, goes without saying, but the Ninevites responded to God, they believed God and repented with all seriousness with prayer, fasting, sackcloth and dust (3:5) and when God saw what they did and they had turned from their evil ways, God had compassion and did not destroy them (3:10). Mercy triumphs over judgment! Awesome grace of God was beautifully displayed. And we know that yes, God is angry, He is horrified by sin, yet He will graciously forgive if anyone will turn and plead for mercy. That has always been the case and will always be the case. So God was no longer angry at Nineveh. But someone else in story remained angry, Jonah, flew into a rage

Here he is the one who knows personally the grace of God. He had just been rescued from his own grave and even said “salvation comes from the Lord” yet he couldn’t really stomach what he confessed. That salvation really comes from God. He was angry at God, I wonder if we are like that?

We learn from our scripture what Jonah knew about the Character of God. He prayed to God, “I know what kind of God you are. That is why I did not want to come here. You are gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. That is why I tried to run.”

You are just such a softy that I want to die! And God asks Jonah why is he angry? He stomps off to a hill side where he can watch the city and waits. Personally he feels like these are horrible people and they deserve judgment. He does not want God to show mercy to these bad people. Perhaps the people will slip up and he will have a front row seat for their destruction.

God caused a vine to grow and give him shade. It quickly appeared without any nurture or help from Jonah. Jonah was happy for the first time in our scripture. The next night God sent a little worm to kill the plant and Jonah was right back to being angry, pouting n the hill side. God sent a hot wind and Jonah stayed alone on a barren hillside and wanted to die. He was not willing to go back into the city or head for home. He just wanted to pout, over the mercy of God for the City and for the loss of the plant.

God ask him if he had reason to be angry about the plant. He says yes and that he wanted to die. He sounds like a spoiled child. He sounds like a person that wants every thing done their way and just acts terrible if they don’t get their way. God shares his view that he had something to do with this great city and the people in it. He talks abut the 120 thousand that don’t know their right from their left, probably the number of innocent children in the city, and the animals. God says that he on the other hand has had everything to do with the creation of this great city and people. Should he not care?

Jonah has been angry with God and only submits when he feels forced and is a stubborn and harsh representative. He only serves God at a minimum level and has no joy in his work. He does not really care about what God wants, he wants to control who God will touch and save.

When are we like Jonah? Where are we in the picture of God’s kingdom today? Are we happy to be working in the kingdom? To we appreciate his efforts on our behalf. Do we resent his work in the lives of others? The story of Jonah is about a reluctant prophet that God uses in spite of his flaws and attitude. God’s work is our work. We are called to look where he is working and joyfully join him there.

Laurie's Sermon for October 19th 2008

Laurie's Sermon from Church on the River is posted HERE. Sorry for the delay there was not one from the 12th because we were on our church family camping trip.

Church on the River

Today the Presbyterian churches from Junction, Harper, Sonora and Rock Springs gathered for a worship service on the South Llano River. It was a cool crisp morning when we arrived to set up the chairs and tables but it soon warmed up enough to have folks looking for shade. We had around a 150 people come together to worship and then share some food and fellowship.

We had some of the men of the church show up about 7:00am who smoked chicken and sausage. Everybody brought side dishes and deserts, and some of the women of the church made 2 big pots of pintos. Lots of good food!

Texas A&M Vs. Texas Tech

It's no secret that I love college football. Friday Laurie and I went with 6 of our friends to Austin and spent the night and Saturday morning we traveled to College Station to watch the Texas A&M Aggies play the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

We had lots of fun traveling but when we arrived at Kyle Field we were greeted by a great spread of food and drink and enjoyed tailgating before the game.



The Aggies' made a game of it but in the end the Red Raiders were victorious, but a great time was had by all.

Faith Without Works Is Like a Screen Door On a Submarine!

You may have heard Rich Mullins sing the song, “Screen Door on a Submarine.” Part of it goes like this: Faith without works is like a song you can’t sing, it’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine. Rich Mullins wrote that song with book of James in mind, because James makes the same point: faith without works is dead, pointing out that is our good work that defines our Christian life.

James, was writing to Christians, those who had already come to faith in Jesus Christ. The tone of his letter is one of irritation. He’s asking them questions about Abraham and Rahab, almost sarcastically, with a don’t-you-get-it type of attitude. In speaking to fellow-believers, James was pointing out that faith and works do not stand in opposition to one another. It is only through works that faith can prove and demonstrate itself; and it is only through faith that works will be attempted and accomplished. Faith is bound to overflow into action and action begins only when someone has faith in some great cause or principle, which God has presented him or her with. Faith without works is like a screen door on a submarine; it’s useless.

The measure of our faith is NOT our “talk” — it’s our “walk”. It’s what we are prepared to do. James has made a strong statement, challenging the people to live out what they profess. That’s our challenge. A few weeks ago, I came across a statement in a book that says: “If you don’t live it, you don’t truly believe it.” That’s our challenge. So how do we live it? How do we make James’ challenge a reality? I’d like to suggest two things. First, you’ve got to enter into a relationship with God whereby you can expand and deepen your relationship through worship and Bible study.

Think of the Scriptures as an accurate map. A map tells you how to get to a certain place. But just looking at a map won’t automatically take you there. Getting to your destination means you have to make the effort.

So it is in the Christian life of deepening your faith, which leads to works. God’s map is reliable and available. It is also clear and direct, but there is no hocus-pocus in its pages that automatically sends you to your destination. The Bible’s trustworthy truths are of immeasurable value, but you can’t rub it on yourself three times a day hoping that the next morning you will suddenly know and experience all its truths.

God does not offer a formula that produces fully mature Christians overnight. Christian growth comes through hard-core, gutsy perseverance of applying what you hear. It is by developing that type of commitment to growing your faith that works will be delivered.

The second way to prepare yourself to live out James’ challenge is to discover your gifts, get involved and use them. Scripture tells us that we have each been blessed with gifts from the Holy Spirit. Some folks say, “Oh, I can’t teach,” or “I can’t lead that.” That’s okay. We’re not gifted in the same way, which is a good thing, because we need multiple talents and abilities in this church. Yes, we need teachers, and yes, we need leaders, but we also need people to do other things: hand out bulletins, visit shut-ins, and help out with odd jobs. The body of Christ has many parts, and I implore you to discover where it is you fit in this body. If you’re unsure, Laurie and I would be happy to help guide you in that process. As James points out, believing in the body and showing up is not enough. What are you doing as an active, lively part of the body?

Church Family Camping Trip

On Saturday October 11th, 18 intrepid explorers braved the weather and headed to Garner State Park. We set up camp in a misty drizzle. Things did not quite go as planned, when we arrived at Garner we had to split up in order to have electricity. It was ok we were able to have dinner together and play in the river; but it was not as convenient as if we had all been together.

Saturday we spent part of the day watching football UT vs. Oklahoma and then the mighty Florida Gators destroy the LSU Kittens. We also played in the river and for supper had some of the best fajitas ever.

Sunday morning we got up made pancakes, bacon and eggs and then we had worship under the trees in the misty drizzle. After worship we were able to move to where we were all camping together.

All in all we had a great time and plan on making this an annual event, so mark your calendars for Columbus Day weekend 2009.

Midweek Devotion Friendship

Friendship is important. We all have different expectations out of our friends. Some of us have a lot of friends and others have just a few close friends and lots of acquaintances. When I was growing up I was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. We had an oath that we were supposed to live by that defined the qualities that a scout should have. The oath says that a scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. These are the qualities that every scout was expected to have. Many of these qualities would also define a good friend. A true friend should be loyal, trustworthy, friendly, courteous, kind and brave.

There are other qualities that we might add such as being a good listener an encourager, and forgiving. We all need somebody sometime. Jonathan put the needs of his friend above the needs of his father. The Bible tells us that Jonathan loved David as himself. 1 Samuel 20:16-17 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, "May the LORD call David's enemies to account." [17] And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

True friendship involves a mutual commitment inspired by mutual affinities. In the natural realm David and Jonathan were both young, strong, brave warriors, they loved the outdoors, and they were both natural leaders. In the spiritual realm they shared a zeal for the Lord. True Friendship Is Based on God-Given Love and is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. A true friend can be trusted during times of danger and confusion. Whom would we seek out for help? What type of help would we get? Who would seek us out? What type of help would they get? A true friend does not hesitate to make and keep promises. In true friendship there should be no rivalry, but a sincere desire to see God’s best worked out for each other; sometimes promises need to be repeated and commitments reaffirmed love must always be central. True friendship shares the full range of the emotional spectrum and especially grieves at the necessity of separation.

The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me." [44] Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. [45] Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

Unlike some of the others Philip did not drop everything and follow Jesus. He went to find his friend Nathaniel. Philip wanted to share this good news with his friend. He was bursting with joy that he had found the Messiah. He had to share this news with his friend. Have you felt like this? Do you have friends that have not met Christ and are just waiting for you to share the good news with them? How much do you care about your friends? Are you like Philip? Philip gives us a good example of how a friend is supposed to act.

Mignon Playing Outside

We were playing outside today, Mignon wanted to color with her sidewalk chalk and she started running up and down the sidewalk. She is full of energy. I just loved how this picture came out.

Ummm Bacon

One of my favorite things at church is the monthly men's breakfast. We gathered this morning in the kitchen and cooked bacon, eggs, biscuits, grits and deer sausage. Other times we have had pancakes, breakfast tacos, chicken fried deer meat with biscuits and gravey, but always bacon.

The meals are always good but what I enjoy the most is the fellowship. We talk about high school and college football, the economy and politics and our faith. We spend some time in prayer, and have a brief devotion. A good start for the day.

Mid Week Devotion "Our Job"

Many of us believe that it is the preacher’s job to proclaim the good news and our job is to listen. That is not completely true. Presbyterians believe in an idea that we state as “the Priesthood of all Believers”. This means that ministry is up to each and every one of us. The church on earth is the body of believers united by the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that just like in our human body each part has it’s own role to play. Each and every one of us is given gifts and talents from God that are to be used for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. We each have a role in the drama of life. Are we fulfilling our God given potential? Christian vocation is our response to God’s call. God calls us all to be a priesthood of believers united in Christ. United as a common body, we are to live our lives in hope of the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. As a body we are to work to transform and prepare the world for the eternal reign of Jesus Christ. As a Christian I am called to be a partner in God’s redemptive mission in the world. The Christian life is an ongoing, active ministry of word and deed. In answering the call God puts on each of our lives we are to take up this responsibility and use the gifts and talents that God has given us to train and teach others about God’s redemptive love.

Do you know what most people judge us on? Do you know what most people, especially the younger generation, looks at most when they are considering a Church home? Not the Narthex and how clean it is. Not the nursery. Not how friendly people are. Not how they have been welcomed. Not the programs for their families. All of those are very important and they do play a part in someone's choosing a Church. But the one single most reason for choosing a Church is US, and how we live: "Do we really live by what we claim to believe?" Are WE faithful or are we going through the motions. Does our faith make a difference in our lives?

That's some pretty heavy stuff isn't it? But that's really what it's all about. Living what we say we believe. A good witness isn't like a salesman; the emphasis is on a person rather than a product. A good witness is like a signpost. It doesn't matter whether it is old, young, pretty, ugly; it has to point the right direction and be able to be understood. We are witnesses to Christ, and we point to him. You may say, “Who, Me?”, and God answers “Yes, You”. When we begin our walk with Christ and call ourselves Christians we assume the responsibility of pointing others towards Christ. Whether you are aware of it or not, people are watching you. People see how you react to the rude checkout person in line at the grocery store and how you treat others around you. Does the joy of Christ show in our daily actions and reactions?