Tweak in Direction

My wife pointed out the reason she never reads my blog is because it is always something Biblical or religious or both. I am forced to concede she has a point. Then again I am in seminary. I do have projects and deadlines, and John Wesley sermons all running through my head so I guess some of that is to be expected. I could go on a Monday morning rant about all of the things I am struggling with in seminary. Sadly, I'd probably have more people reading this blog if I did. Suddenly there would be the drama of misery. This blog would follow the newspaper's example of "if it bleeds it leads." Okay. I took that quote from a movie, but it applies. Just look at the evening news. So what would it take to make this blog a bit more interesting? I think I need to do a better job of addressing my everyday life in seminary, as a husband, father, child of God. Wow just listing those out I think I got them out of order in terms of the priorities I hold to. I'll give it a try and see how things go.

The Line

In the life of a person of faith there is a line between what a person wills to do, and what the All Mighty empowers them to do. There is a clear distinction between the will of distruction, and the empowering force which enables us to truly live life. For those who follow the commands to Love God, love neighbor as ourselves; holiness becomes trusting God, and discovering there is power and peace, when the will of man becomes trust in God.

Psalm 4

“Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
You gave me room when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.”
                                        (Psalm 4:1 NRSV)
Under the current economic conditions there have been a lot of people over the last three or four years who have prayed this prayer; although, perhaps not in so many words. God you have provided for me in the past. Please watch over me and my family now. My company has downsized, and I am now unemployed. My family is hungry. We have bills to pay. I would gladly work, if I could only find a job. Be gracious to me O Lord and hear my call.
For the unemployed there are many aspersions, dispersions, negative connotations, and misconceptions about what it means to be unemployed. Is every person living on the street homeless because they are a drug addict, or an alcoholic? No. Is every family on unemployment just a bunch of lazy free loaders who do not want to work? No. It was not always the job of the Federal Government in this country to help those in need. How long will the children of God love vain words instead of helping their brothers and sisters in Christ when they are in need? How long will we deny Christ a drink of water at the well?
According to a February article on Bloomberg.com unemployment in the United States of America is up to 9% – Nine Percent. For those struggling to get buy it is easy to feel angry, and to let that anger lead to despair. The Psalmist urges us not to let our despair cause us to sin. Now is not the time to allow depression to cloud your mind. Now is not the time to let anger or pride misdirect your judgment. In your time of trial it is time to put your whole trust in the Lord, and to bring your plight before the altar of God. I am not promising a sign from God, or a financial wind fall. However, I have been down this road. I know what peace God can put in your heart to help you endure when the storms of life are raging. Now is the time to strengthen the foundations of your faith and your home. Put your faith in the Lord. Trust in God’s power and peace that you might lay down in safety with a roof over your head, food in your belly and the knowledge God will see you safely through the storms if you will but trust in God’s grace.

Amen.

Pandora's Box

Greek mythology explains the evils of the world with the story of Pandora's box. Pandora opened the box and all of the evils of the world were let loose so all that was left in the box was hope.

I do not place my hope for today and for the world in a metaphor from the ancient world, but in a king who lives and reigns every bit as much today as he did 2000 years ago. He came into a world already filled with the darkness and decay of our own making which had only been further complicated by the lies of the tempter. No. My King came into the darkness, and wild destructive decay of a thoroughly broken world as a pale ray of light in the form baby born to a destitute itinerant family. As He grew into adulthood he listened, and witnessed, and loved humanity because His Father loves humanity. Then in the fullness of time, while we were still willfully defiant, He gave his life that light would dawn in the darkness of the world and we would all see something so good, so wonderful, we would be both in awe of it and convicted by its grace and goodness.

All give honor and praise through the Holy Spirit to Christ for God's love that Christ has entered the world. Let the darkness hear and tremble at these words, "SUNDAY'S COMING!"

Night Owl

Wikipedia describes a night owl this way.
Night owl is a term used to describe a person who tends to stay up until late at night. Another name for a night owl is evening person 
I do not typically function this way. Usually I am one of those early to bed early to rise folks who try not to annoy the night owls first thing in the morning. However, lately I am becoming a night owl. This week it's up until midnight every night and up at five in the morning to feed Evan. Then I stay up and try to get reading done or to finish the sermon due for class on Wednesday. This is turning out to be a very busy semester which is why I'm starting to look like my fine feathered friend here. Please don't stare if you see me walking across campus with this look on my face.

A GREAT IDEA!

Alina Chau is an Asian American Artist who works for Lucasfilm - which before God called me to seminary would have been a dream job. She is selling this painting on eBay for a program called Art Blocks for Ghana. The proceeds from the paintings will be sent to help families in Ghana build homes. A part of the money from the auction of this painting will go to "Artists Help Japan" and Give2Asia - Artists. Alina is planing to have another auction in April specifically to help those in Japan affected by the earthquake and tsunami. All of these programs are legitimate. I wonder if there are any artists out there creating specifically Christian artwork for these programs?

Psalm 29

I am taking a preaching class and a couple of weeks ago I chose Psalm 29 as the passage I would preach from first. It was one from a list the professor assigned. As I have been praying about what message God would have me to reveal from Psalm 29 the earthquake and tsunami in Japan have weighed heavily on my mind. Psalm 29 makes it very clear God is over the waters, and his voice can boom like thunder. There is tremendous power in the voice of God over all things. One commentary went so far to say Psalm 29 places God, enthroned over the waters of chaos. Japan has certainly seen its fair share of chaos - especially with the impending nuclear threat. Japan would seem to be struggling against earth, fire, and water. I am sure there are those who would say, "Where is God if He is enthroned over the waters of chaos, and if His voice is so powerful?" The "Where is God" question in the face of tragedy is always difficult. The answer is tied up in God's character, the gift of free choice to human beings, and the Fall. This is a blog and not a term paper so I won't give the long winded answer. I'd rather focus on the last verse of Psalm 29. "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace (NIV)." John Wesley in his sermon "The Almost Christian" points out that God delights to work through people for the good of the world. Humanity was God's stewards of creation going all the way back to Genesis. This does not mean we are on our own to handle natural disasters. Quite often God's blessings in our lives are meant to be used to help others. Wesley puts it this way. Those who are given ability have the responsibility to act. Uncle Ben put it this way, "With great power comes great responsibility." The blessing of God is quite often the Holy Spirit moving in our lives to will and to act for God's glory. One way you can help the people in Japan is by offering to help through UMCOR the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Won't you prayerfully consider how God's prompting in your life today and give as you are able?