Thursday, November 30, 2006
The Nativity
I heard a story on the news that caught my attention. I only heard the very end of it, so I went on the web to make sure what I heard was correct. Sure enough, it was.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the City of Chicago had pressured a German Chamber of Commerce to reject the movie "The Nativity" as a sponsor of their Christmas market in Daley Plaza. The movie was paying to be a sponsor of the market. In return, there would be posters of the movie on display, fliers for the movie handed out and trailers for the film would play on TV's at the market. All of this would be side by side with all the other advertisements used to promote sponsors of the event. The City of Chicago said that their request was to insure that no one thought the city was endorsing or promoting one religion over another. In the plaza, they have a Nativity scene, along side symbols from other religions.
This is it. A city has now decided that a Christmas event can't show a depiction of the Christmas event. How can the German Chamber of Commerce have a "Christmas" market if someone is going to be offended that they mention Christmas. Is the city going to require them to rename it a holiday market? It wouldn't surprise me. But the funny thing is this: New Line Cinema was going to pay $12,000 for the sponsorship. They received their money back--and received national/international publicity worth far more than $12,000. Thanks, City of Chicago. And estimates are that up to one million Christians in the Chicago area may go to see The Nativity. I hope that those people who might have been offended by the movies sponsorship won't be offended by how much business the movie does---O, I'm sorry, I actually don't care if they are offended. In fact, I hope they are offended. I'm tired of it being OK to offend Christians, but not OK to offend everyone else. It is time that followers of Christ stand up for our rights and show that we are proud of our faith. JUST DO IT!!!!
Kind Of Strange
www.ridgecrestumc.com
I am writing this from home, sitting at my laptop, in the early afternoon. Like pretty much everyone else in Oklahoma City, I am iced in. The big storm dumped a sheet of ice on the roads and is now covering that with a thick layer of snow. On Monday, the temperature was in the 60's--now we are locked in an ice box. Nature/weather is never boring.
One of the bad things about being stuck at home is that I can't get the church work done that is supposed to be done on Thursday. At the office, we have a schedule. On Thursday, we run and fold the bulletin and get the slides on the computer in the balcony. I guess that will happen either on Friday or Saturday.
I don't know if anyone who has read this blog has noticed, but the page has evolved. It started out with a black background and is now light. The reason for the change is that I have gotten feedback from friends that make suggestions about how to improve the blog. Some refer to aesthetic issues--how the page looks and how easy it is to read. Others relate to security issues--if you want to post a comment, you have to read a weird word and type it in the box (to keep computer generated spam from being loaded into the blog). Also, any comments will come to my e-mail address and I will have to approve them before they can be posted.
The small changes remind me of the way we do ministry at Ridgecrest. We pray and ask God what to do. Once we feel that God has pointed us in a specific way, we take off. But, we don't always get where we want to go without making course corrections. It is like sailing a ship. You don't actually sail directly for a destination. Instead, you tack; you head in the general direction you want to go, then change course to correct you line. You wind up traveling in a zig zag pattern that gets you where you need to be. As we do ministry, we make small corrections as we go along, to help make sure we are on track. We are not afraid of change--we embrace it as necessary to fulfilling our God given mission: To Make Disciples for Christ!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
It's About Time!
www.ridgecrestumc.com
It wasn't supposed to hit until noon, but the Great Northerly appears to have roared into town at about 8:00 this morning. I stood outside for just a few minutes, with my heavy coat on, at about 10:00 and nearly froze to death. And while I'm not sure I am ready for the howling, biting wind--I am ready for winter to be here.
This Sunday is the first week of Advent. Advent is the season when we prepare for the birth of the Christ child. With Christmas just around the corner, I am ready for a little winter weather. I don't know how people in tropical climates celebrate Christmas--I guess they do it with a tan. But for me, I don't mind seeing a little of the white stuff. How can you dream of a white Christmas if you don't see any white?
I was excited last Sunday. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is traditionally down a little in terms of attendance. But we had over 120 in worship--that's about 10 above normal. And of those 120, about 17 were visitors. I believe that we are seeing God working in the life of our congregation. I think that this Sunday we will have someone joining the church by profession of faith (assuming that things don't change). This will be 3 weeks out of 4 that we have had someone joining the church. If you or someone you know is thinking about joining our family of faith, this would be a great time to take the plunge.
At my pastor's prayer meeting, we discussed our individual prayer times. Like many of my pastor friends, I have difficulty blocking out time for dedicated prayer. I am committing to being more intentional about a scheduled prayer time. I don't know if you have the same problem--but if you do, there is no better time than now to start a good habit.
Our good friends at Covenant Life Church are providing Christmas Food boxes for families in the Whiz Kids program (many are the same families we deal with in PT). If you would like to purchase a Heartland Share box for a Whiz Kids family, let Linda know. CLC will deliver them for us. The price is $23.00 per box.
Prayer Update:
In case you missed Mark's comment, Joyce is doing a little better. Also, received word that Maxine appears to be doing better and Carol is home after surgery. Also, Ian got good results from his tests and David (the 20 something young man with cancer) is doing better. Thank the Lord for healing.
Be in prayer for Jackie, the sister of Maureen. She has been diagnosed with a large tumor in her brain. They are still running tests to decide if they can do surgery. Pray that healing might come, in what ever way possible. Also, pray for the family. Losing a sibling is very difficult. Maureen definitely needs our prayers.
It wasn't supposed to hit until noon, but the Great Northerly appears to have roared into town at about 8:00 this morning. I stood outside for just a few minutes, with my heavy coat on, at about 10:00 and nearly froze to death. And while I'm not sure I am ready for the howling, biting wind--I am ready for winter to be here.
This Sunday is the first week of Advent. Advent is the season when we prepare for the birth of the Christ child. With Christmas just around the corner, I am ready for a little winter weather. I don't know how people in tropical climates celebrate Christmas--I guess they do it with a tan. But for me, I don't mind seeing a little of the white stuff. How can you dream of a white Christmas if you don't see any white?
I was excited last Sunday. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is traditionally down a little in terms of attendance. But we had over 120 in worship--that's about 10 above normal. And of those 120, about 17 were visitors. I believe that we are seeing God working in the life of our congregation. I think that this Sunday we will have someone joining the church by profession of faith (assuming that things don't change). This will be 3 weeks out of 4 that we have had someone joining the church. If you or someone you know is thinking about joining our family of faith, this would be a great time to take the plunge.
At my pastor's prayer meeting, we discussed our individual prayer times. Like many of my pastor friends, I have difficulty blocking out time for dedicated prayer. I am committing to being more intentional about a scheduled prayer time. I don't know if you have the same problem--but if you do, there is no better time than now to start a good habit.
Our good friends at Covenant Life Church are providing Christmas Food boxes for families in the Whiz Kids program (many are the same families we deal with in PT). If you would like to purchase a Heartland Share box for a Whiz Kids family, let Linda know. CLC will deliver them for us. The price is $23.00 per box.
Prayer Update:
In case you missed Mark's comment, Joyce is doing a little better. Also, received word that Maxine appears to be doing better and Carol is home after surgery. Also, Ian got good results from his tests and David (the 20 something young man with cancer) is doing better. Thank the Lord for healing.
Be in prayer for Jackie, the sister of Maureen. She has been diagnosed with a large tumor in her brain. They are still running tests to decide if they can do surgery. Pray that healing might come, in what ever way possible. Also, pray for the family. Losing a sibling is very difficult. Maureen definitely needs our prayers.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Let Us Pray
I was at Oklahoma City Hall bright and early this morning to deliver the invocation for the City Council Meeting. Here is an approximate text of what I prayed:
Most Holy God, we bow our heads in praise and thanksgiving to You. We thank you for the blessings you give us each day. We thank you for the place your have put us--for the City of Oklahoma City--and for the blessings you have rained down upon our city. We thank you for new businesses that have relocated or open. We thank you for jobs that have been created. We thank you for buildings and homes that have been built. We thank you for the increasing level of prosperity that our city has received.
Yet at the same time, O God, we recognize that all have not shared in the blessing. While there are new jobs, there are still those that can't find work and those who must work two jobs just to make ends meet. While there are new homes, we recognize that there are those who have no place to call home, who live on the streets or in a shelter. While the city is more prosperous, we know that there are still those who struggle every day to make it. And while the city is more prosperous and we live in the greatest nation in the world, we are ashamed that there are children in our city who go to bed hungry. As these, you servants, O Lord, deliberate and do the business of the city, help them to hold these two contrasting realities in their hearts.
O God, you anoint those in leadership. When the people of Israel cried out for the king, you anointed first Saul and then David to be their king. I pray, O God, that you might send your Ruach/Holy Spirit to anoint these men and women once again--that they might feel your guidance and direction. As they deliberate, help them to remember that it isn't about their interests or the interests of a select few--but it is about "What is in the best interest for the people of Oklahoma City". Bless their decisions, that they might be within your will. That as decisions are made by those elected and carried out by the staff assigned to do that job, that our city might be made into a place of Shalom--of your peace. For it is in your glorious and mighty name we pray. Amen
After I finished praying, Willa Johnson (one of the city council persons), came out meet me. She said that my prayer was "The best prayer that she had ever heard"--I bet she says that to all the ministers who pray. (Ha, Ha!) I'm just pleased that someone, other than God, was actually listening. But who am I to say. Maybe everyone there was listening and praying along with me. That would be my hope.
As I drove around down town looking for the parking lot and then as I left, I was struck by the number of homeless who are shuffling around on the streets. And I am reminded that the forecast for Wednesday night through at least Friday calls for very cold night time temperatures. I call on you to pray for all those living on the streets, that they might be protected from the danger of subfreezing nights.
When I got to the Mayor's office, I asked his assistant how I was chosen. He said that they go through the Yellow Pages and select pastors from churches in different Wards and from different denominations. I said, "You through a dart at the map and see where it sticks." He said it isn't quite that random, but some what. They took a picture of me with the Mayor. I am supposed to get a signed copy in the mail. When it arrives, I will scan it and put it on the web site, so that you can relish in my celebrity status (Ha, Ha!) The Mayor said that he had been on Reid Mullin's show this morning and Reid had mentioned that I was going to be praying at the meeting. With all this publicity, I may have to hire an agent.
When the officials walked in, the lights came up--that's correct, TV lights. And then I looked up and saw that there was a camera looking down on the podium where I would be standing. If any of you were watching, I hope that you weren't blinded by the lights reflecting off of the top of my head. I don't know about you, but I don't really see myself as a TV evangelist. To do that, I think God would need to bless me with the miracle of new hair--and I don't really think it is going to happen.
Well, I have to get busy. The work of the kingdom never ceases.
Yours in Christ,
Jim
Monday, November 27, 2006
New Beginnings
After reading a story in the local paper, I decided it was time for me to jump into the realm of the blog. My goal is to use this space, on a daily basis, to organize the professional events in my life and the random thoughts that come as a result of those events. I have promised myself that my family is off limits on this blog. They are in the public eye enough, what with me having a pulpit every Sunday. So, if anyone actually reads this, make sure and help me keep that promise.
Tomorrow will be a little different for me. I have been invited to give the invocation for the Oklahoma City Council Meeting. I'm not sure why I was chosen, but I look forward to the opportunity. I have great respect for the men and women who have been elected to lead our city. We are making great strides, but much is still left to be done. As I pray, I will ask God to be with the leaders and help keep them focused on their true job--to act in the best interest of the people of the city. May God help me and them!
Devotions: Every day I read a couple of different devotional books. Every now and then, I may comment on them. One is an historical devotion. It tells about something that happened in history on this day and then creates a devotion from that event. The second a general devotional book aimed at men.
Today, November 27, in 1095 AD, at the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II preached the most persuasive sermon ever preached. He noted the damage and destruction that the Turks had brought to Jerusalem and called on the military leaders present to make things right, in the name of Christ. He promised direct passage to heaven to any who died in the fight and assured his hearers that it was God's will that the Turks be expelled. As a result of this sermon, the crusades began. The second reading for today noted that in Acts 17, Paul and Silas were in Berea. As they taught and preached, the learned men went to scripture to see if what they preached/taught was true. Wouldn't the world be better off if those at Clermont had been learned men of faith, who went to scripture to see if Urban was speaking truth. Nations may go to war and, in limited instances, may be justified in doing so. But for the church of wage war in the name of Christ, except in a spiritual sense, is contrary to scripture and the teachings of our Lord and Savior. May God have mercy on Urban II for the damage he did to the church universal on that day in 1095.
Prayer: Be praying for: Maxine, who appears to have lost the will to live; Carol, who has surgery on Tuesday; and for Joyce, who is suffering from a condition that is not serious and is probably temporary, but that causes a great deal of discomfort.
Tomorrow will be a little different for me. I have been invited to give the invocation for the Oklahoma City Council Meeting. I'm not sure why I was chosen, but I look forward to the opportunity. I have great respect for the men and women who have been elected to lead our city. We are making great strides, but much is still left to be done. As I pray, I will ask God to be with the leaders and help keep them focused on their true job--to act in the best interest of the people of the city. May God help me and them!
Devotions: Every day I read a couple of different devotional books. Every now and then, I may comment on them. One is an historical devotion. It tells about something that happened in history on this day and then creates a devotion from that event. The second a general devotional book aimed at men.
Today, November 27, in 1095 AD, at the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II preached the most persuasive sermon ever preached. He noted the damage and destruction that the Turks had brought to Jerusalem and called on the military leaders present to make things right, in the name of Christ. He promised direct passage to heaven to any who died in the fight and assured his hearers that it was God's will that the Turks be expelled. As a result of this sermon, the crusades began. The second reading for today noted that in Acts 17, Paul and Silas were in Berea. As they taught and preached, the learned men went to scripture to see if what they preached/taught was true. Wouldn't the world be better off if those at Clermont had been learned men of faith, who went to scripture to see if Urban was speaking truth. Nations may go to war and, in limited instances, may be justified in doing so. But for the church of wage war in the name of Christ, except in a spiritual sense, is contrary to scripture and the teachings of our Lord and Savior. May God have mercy on Urban II for the damage he did to the church universal on that day in 1095.
Prayer: Be praying for: Maxine, who appears to have lost the will to live; Carol, who has surgery on Tuesday; and for Joyce, who is suffering from a condition that is not serious and is probably temporary, but that causes a great deal of discomfort.
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