An Attitude of Gratitude

It's almost here. And we're not ready. I'm talking about the trappings and trimmings. Not ready. But in my heart I am. I was sitting here reflecting on God's goodness to me and I am thankful and blessed. God has done way more for me than I ever can do for God, but that is grace. And grace is good. Better than biscuits, to quote a dear friend and colleague in ministry. Are you ready? To take stock and really be thankful for what you have rather than lament about what you don't? Too many are still whimpering about this or crying about that. Enough. Stop. Listen. Learn. Love. Give.

My prayer for you is that God would continue to bless and use you. We are after all, everything the Bible says, salt, light, city on the hill, blessed, peacemakers, those who love one another just as we love ourselves. And make sure you include everybody, especially those nobody else wants nor sees!

Adjust your attitude and you'll be amazed at the altitude you'll achieve.

THE FUTRE STARTS NOW!

1 Peter 1:3 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, 4 including a future in heaven - and the future starts now! (The Message)

Do you ever measure the future in terms of coming movies? Guilty confession, the trailers for upcoming movies are shown, the trailer makes the coming movie in your opinion, a MUST SEE, then it says something like Christmas 2025.... Okay, not everyone is weird like me. Yesterday, it was announced that the Walt Disney Company bought LucasFilms. For many, not a big deal, even, so what, who is Lucas and why should we care? But for those who know, it was also announced that a new Star Wars Episode would be out in 2015. For those who do know, this caused great excitement. For some who do know, it caused some fear; will Mickey Mouse make an appearance in this epic movie? I think that should not be a fear of ours. The future is in good hands.

For Peter, the future is in the hands of God. he says, "What a God we have!" Think about it; from the beauty of creation, the blessings of love, joy, hope, peace, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to the promise of a future that never ends - all in the hands of God. This is a God of life. This is our God. Our life is from God and stays in God. A God Who showed through Jesus Christ, that death is a part of life and death was conquered through Him, we have a "brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven." (v. 3-4). Think about that; we have the option to chose in Jesus Christ a brand-new life. And if we do, we find that we have everything to live for. Nothing you may be facing now, a decision or a fear, a worry or an illness, a debt or a payment, nothing, is worhty dying for; quite the opposite in Christ we have everything to live for. We all go through periods of life where we think that we couldn't get any lower or sicker or poorer, but if we hold on and hold on to God, when that is past, we think, thank God for God and for that option of trusting God. We did have everything to live for. Even in times of loneliness, God is with us and gives us hope for living. That verse, verse 4, about a future in heaven ends with "the future starts now!"

Your future, if you are in a relationship with Jesus Christ, starts now. And in Jesus Christ, nothing can hold you back or separate you from that glorious future which starts right now, right here. Claim it!

PRAYER: Loving God, I pray in the Name of Jesus for this dear reader and whatever it is that has my brother or sister feeling down. Lord, lift their spirits, their thoughts, their phsycial bodies of pain or discomfort, coughing or sneezing, up to a higher level where there is calm and peace. I further ask that if they have not yet entered into a loving, trusting relationship with You that they do it now, so that that glorious future, which starts right now, right here, might be theirs. I pray this with faith in the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! And tell somebody, "The future starts now!"

Eradio Valverde

Excellence vs. Faithfulness

Never accept nor substitute excellence for faithfulness. Nothing wrong with striving for being great, but do it while being faithful.

Those Whom Nobody Sees

As the Country moved westward, other denominations went looking for those who looked like them, dressed like them, and talked like them. When they had enough,mother started a church. If not, they didn't. The Methodists, on the other hand, saw every person as potential converts. Thus it was said that Methodists set fire across the land, while others were left looking for a match.

Who do we seek today? Here's a clue: If it's not everybody, we don't really have a clue.

Doing It Old School

Sometimes we find the new direction may lie in something old. If we do it in a new way. We first heard the phrase, "doing it old school" in music; artists chose to revive or renew some old music in new ways, thus reaching a new audience who had not yet been exposed to the old.

We have "the old, old story" that is made new every time a new believer comes to hear it and receive it, and it's of "Jesus and His love."

What are some "old school" things we've let either lie dormant or die in our churches? What can we ask God to do with those to reach new believers? I have a list and you may have a list too, if you just ask God.

Obedience

Obedience is saying a Friday Yes in the face of a Monday No.

Will You Visit from House to House?

That’s a historic question and one asked of all who are to be ordained and accepted into Full Connection in the United Methodist Church. All who have been asked that question have said yes. Yet?

It was just a Saturday recently, that I was awake and in my comfortable nothing-to-do today attire, shorts, t-shirt, barefoot that our doorbell rang. Nellie was sitting next to me and we had decided to catch up on TV shows recorded earlier. We rarely get guests and those we do get, call ahead and they come in through our back door. Those who ring the doorbell are usually not people we know. I immediately thought it was our weekly visit by one of those IN TOW guys who ask if they can buy one of our vehicles that sits on our street. Thankfully, I took two years high school Spanish and can tell them that no, our vehicle is not for sale and the owner is asleep. (The IN TOW guys are the ones who buy vehicles that look abandoned and hook them up and drive them south of the border, fix them up and re-sell them. Or, it could be one of those helpful guys with lawnmowers who ring our doorbell during those parts of the month where our grass is overgrown. But, it was not one of those. It was a nicely dressed man and a nicely dressed woman. I knew immediately that they were Jehovah’s Witnesses. I opened the door and the man told me in Spanish, they were going from house to house to get people to read their Bibles. “We read our Bibles here; I’m a pastor.” I love saying that because it usually ends conversation. “Actually,” I said, “I’m a district superintendent.” The lady asked, “Oh, so you travel a lot?” Yes, I said, wondering what day they might return in hopes of getting someone else to answer the door. I noticed that across the street another pair was working the neighbor’s homes and there was a car with others in it, traveling slowly as support.

The largest growing groups of religious organizations are the JWs and the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), who require two year service of their young men right out of high school. That service is usually a house to house visitation where they try to get people to read their Bible and their Book of Mormon; the JWs also have their own unique Bible (always check John 1:1 if in doubt; ours says, “The Word was God.” Theirs says, “The Word was a god” Big difference!). Why don’t we visit like we should, from house to house? Fear is a good reason. Many have said that during Wesley’s day it was easier to visit house to house as people expected and welcomed company. Our day has our well insulated and protected from company. We have gone from being front porch people to backyard deck people. Notice the difference? A nice deck is usually not visible from the front street and can hide us pretty well. A visit from the pastor not so long ago was a welcomed and expected trend. Now, please call ahead or just leave us alone unless we need you, is the typical response at a PPRC meeting where this is discussed. Yet, our numbers show we are dying. The numbers of those who do visit are growing. We also can say, “I don’t know or wouldn’t know what to say or ask in such a visit.” We may be surprised to find that there are a lot of people, yes, even within our churches, that need someone to listen to them and to talk with them. And there may be more outside of our churches who would welcome a visit from someone like us, especially with the message we may bring from Jesus Christ. I just watched a recording of CBS’s Sunday Morning, where the topic was islands, and one of the “islands” was the topic of those who choose or who live alone. One man, who had broken up with his girlfriend and had no personal contact with anyone, posted a bright green flyer that said, “If anyone wants to talk about anything, call me (his cell number). Jeff, one lonely guy.” The flyer had a row of detachable slips with his phone number on it. He got a total of 70,000 calls. Does that say anything about the need in our areas and during our time?

Jesus said in the last book of the Bible, chapter 3, verse 20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” Why can’t we? Why can’t we train everyone in our churches to do the same and show the care and compassion we’re blessed with and famous for, to a hurting world?

Commitment

Apart from our willingness, we should have commitment to our calling from God. We used Isaiah 6 last time to illustrate willingness and its importance; we can use it as well for commitment. In this call from God, Isaiah responds to God's call with "Here I am, send me," and no sooner does he say this than he begins to hear just what a tough job he was being called to. It was his willingness to commit to a tough task that he nonetheless went forward with his Yes. In my morning devotional reading of Philippians 4, in verse 3 "Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life," I read the word "struggled beside me in the work of the gospel." We know Paul's story. We know that he still said Yes even after Christ revealed to him all that he would suffer. But Paul also understood that because of his willingness and his commitment to continue forward, listening and obeying Christ, he too would receive a great prize, indicated by the closing of that verse three, "whose names are in the book of life."

It's not always easy and yes, we sometimes think of exit routes and plans from this call to ministry; but our commitment should keep us moving obediently and faithfully forward. That faithfulness will bring Christ fruit.

Willingness

"Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration." This is a quote attributed to Thomas Edison. He spoke it first in 1903 and wrote about it later in Harpers Monthly in 1932. I believe willingness is the first one percent of leadership, ninety-nine percent is commitment.

Isaiah knew and wrote about willingness. We read about it in the sixth chapter of his book. It comes during a time of great grieving for all the nation. While others wept and mourn the loss of a great leader, Isaiah knew to look up towards God and realize that while they still had a God, they had everything. The verses that open that sixth chapter speak of Isaiah seeing and experiencing the holiness of God. Isaiah also realized the purity of God and where he, as a person, stood in that purity; his first cry to God was to be freed from this impurity of his life and lips. God responded to that need and fulfilled it. Isaiah was made clean. The came the invitation or call from God to help in making others aware of their need before God. It comes in the form of a question, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Notice the plural form of the need? The one who responds is responding not only to God but also for all for whom God is concerned. It was Isaiah's willingness that said, "Here I am, send me."

God spoke an invitation to your life, and you may have already responded whether you know it or not. The median age of professional ministers show that for some, the first response was "maybe later." Some second-career pastors have said they responded yes because the invitation came later. Our positive response was triggered by our willingness to commit.

As you share God's love and concern for others, share the message of the need we all have to be willingness servants of God. Without willingness we are not yet at the point where God can use us.

Connecting the Old with the New

Imagine learning from a trip to the circus! This weekend I went with the family to Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus in town for the weekend. I couldn't help notice how an organization as ancient as the circus continues to attract and relate to modern audiences. One clue was that the circus is in tune to some of modern society's familiar sounds. After the clown routine ends badly, the music heard was the famous computer sound of something gone bad on the computer. The audience roared with laughter at the sound for they had been there.

I think sometimes the church fails to connect because we don't go to where people are or where people have been. We prefer to stay right where we are, which is usually a comfortable place.

The Gift of Listening

Never be too busy to listen to a story or to get to know someone, especially someone older than yourself; you'd be amazed at what you may learn and the wonderful, unexpected blessing you may receive.

Supper time, especially on the Free Night of a convention or conference is a hectic time especially if it falls on a Friday. Last night was our free night and we were meeting a dear friend at a popular restaurant. The sidewalks were crowded and an older gentleman was struggling as he walked and he kept apologizing to all as he walked. I recognized the color of his lanyard as his being clergy and from our conference, though I did not yet know him. He apologized to us for his walking so slow and both Nellie and I said there was no need and I extended my hand to greet him and he began a marvelous conversation but he reached a point where he said that due to a dinner with retirees he had not come to the restaurant we were coming with his group and tonight they had abandoned him and he was coming on his own. He asked if he could dine with us. With no hesitation we said he could. We knew our dear friend would not mind and ours was a rich evening filled with wonderful stories.

There was pain and sorrow shared, but God was in our midst and grace was ours.

Never be too busy to listen or to get to know someone.

Authority to Lead or Leadership?

Ron Heifetz of Harvard is quoted in Will Willimon's latest as saying, "it's disastrous for a leader to confuse authority to lead (formal authoritization, legislated power) with leadership (power to question, to teach, to build consensus, and to motivate).

-"Bishop" p. 20

Stop and Pray

Things happen and some merit immediate prayer. Nothing is so important that we can't stop what we are doing and pray, especially if we're asked to pray.

Last night a young woman from the General Conference here in Tampa was hit by a car and rushed to the hospital. Someone from the delegation asked permission to speak and shared with the presiding bishop these news. The bishop kept the business going until the matter before us was resolved. It was the longest five or six minutes. Finally, he recognized the delegation from which this young woman hails, and asked them to stand and then prayed.

Stop and pray. Nothing is so important that we can't stop what we are doing and pray. Nothing.

Tears

Jesus wept. We should weep at the right times for the right reason. Weeping is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of compassion and commitment.

Jesus wept.

Running the Course

Two weekends ago, Shoreline Drive, an important traffic thoroughfare, was marked as one lane in both directions, set apart by orange cones, to allow participants in a triathlon to run the course. One morning they were on bicycles, the other running. One led by a large distance over the other ones way in the back. I wondered who was running to win and who was running to run.

As you lead as pastor, are you running to win, or running to run? Where do you find the most joy? Winning or running? Where do you find the most faithfulness?

Enjoy the quiet

Hide the eggs. Then be excited and joyful when they're found. This is a crucial part of being in the family. Kids can tell. So can most grown ups.

Humility part two

Good Friday: that should have been me on that cross.

House of Prayer

Any time you relegate prayer to an afterthought, your inhabitants may start to moo, baa, or chirp.

And your place will stink.

Perspective

Today is Palm Sunday. Many pastors will ask, "Who would you have been in that crowd? What would you be yelling?"

Mother Theresa was asked, and she said, "I would loved to have been the donkey on which Jesus rode into Jerusalem."

Even for the Ups, bow down in prayer

The day before Palm Sunday Jesus healed a blind man. His instruction to the man, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." That night we know that surely Jesus had to pray. Verse one of Luke 18 says that " Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart."

Even on days when we know we will be "up," we should bow down in prayer, asking not to lose heart and for the vision to see the up for what it truly is and what it can truly be. And for who we should truly be.

Lone Ranger Leadership Lessons

1) Never wear a mask.

2) Never ride away after solving a problem or challenge. Interaction is necessary.

3) Aim to disarm not harm, even if you think you're using silver bullets.

4) Be careful if your only supporter is called "Tonto," which is Spanish for "dummy."

Hope

Hope, not cheap optimism, is what we should offer best. Even in the darkest of times or biggest of challenges, hope is what we offer. And behind our offering it, we do it because of the One who shares it with us. God.

State of the Art v. State of the Church

One is cutting edge, frontline of newness and example of the latest and greatest.

The other sometimes is still the same. Don't touch anything. Do not change anything. We are fine as we are.

It is the same as going places and staying put. It is like getting exercise and gaining some years and staying sedentary and awaiting death.

Jesus spoke of newness. "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another."

The oldness spoke of "You're not welcome here; find your own church."

The Three Milers

Jesus did not speak about these, but we know they exist. They're the ones about which we have said, "I wish I had five more like her/him!" These are the followers of Jesus who don't know what minimum is. They only know to love, to do, to work, to do more. Ah, if we were only like them.

What we can do is be excited about what we do and to share that in a positive way and you never know, we might find another three-miler in our midst and soon in our churches.

The Two Miler

In Jesus' day, a Roman solider could tap you on the shoulder with the flat of his spear and force you to carry his pack for one mile. You could refuse if you wanted him to adjust his spear and ram you with it. Jesus understood the hatred and fear most people had of these occupiers of their land so He tells them about the second mile.

To go the second mile is to do the unexpected, to go to the uncomfortable part of life; yet Jesus knew that those of us who do receive a double blessing, one of helping and one of being helped.

Where is that area today you're comfortable barely doing one mile? What do you and God stand to gain if you go two?

Head Foot Washer

I doubt anyone would put that on their business card. The only Head Foot Washer is Jesus. We could only hope to be Assistant Foot Washers and even then we would not post that anywhere people could read it. How about we post it on our hearts and minds as we strive to be servant leaders.

A Pastor's Gift

Two things come to mind that we can best gift to our staffs and parishioners: Humility and Honesty.

I believe humility begins with caring truly and deeply for others. Honesty begins with admitting that we don't know all the answers. Nor do we have to.

But in all things, we trust in God.