This is now the second week after the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter Sunday is such a noted Christian date of celebration that it is easy to forget anything followed after that surprise morning. When Mary ran from the roller away stone tomb, to tell the disciples hidden in a room that Jesus was alive, she had been on a roller coaster. Here early morning duties on Easter Sunday morning was to go and finish the task of attending to the dead body of Jesus. Obviously she wasn’t expecting Jesus to be alive, she’d watched Him be put to death. He plans were to finish the responsibilities of burial, not attend to the living. That is often the case with many of us too. We should all be able to identify with her as we have forgotten our instructions and teachings way too often. We have, or at least I have, repeatedly expected one outcome based off my experiences and totally forgotten who God is, what His power and capabilities are, (which are limitless) without the first thought or reflection to His Will and plans. On that first Easter Sunday evening, what a surprise when Jesus showed up to address the disciples. I have often thought that Easter Sunday is great night to have evening church and worship, reflecting on His first post-resurrection appearance. If your church places emphasis on that time period, congratulations. I believe the focus on what happened in the evening of Resurrection Easter Sunday is valuable and has many teachable lessons of faith and God’s work. The first week following Easter Sunday had its highlights too. We do not know where Thomas was on the evening of the resurrection. What we know is that he was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them. One would think if you had the personal testimony of 10 friends that you had traveled with, shared meals with, had deep conversations and debates with, their word would be one you’d trust. But not Thomas. The disciples, Mary, and others all shared with Thomas what they had experienced. But yet Thomas, refused to taker their word for anything. He was standing on and in concrete. He would not believe Jesus was alive unless he himself say Jesus with His own eyes. I can only imagine all week long following Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas walking around constantly sharing his discontentment and disbelieve that he wasn’t believing until he saw Jesus. Not sure how you feel about Thomas and his actions, but personally, I must sadly identify, I’ve acted like a child too regarding matters of hearing testimonies from others. I am thankful I have moved from poking holes into the stories of Jesus to just believing in faith. I can confess, I’ve had some Thomas attitude displayed in my life before and I stand on guard today not to allow any of that bad attitude to creep back in. 7 days after the resurrection of Jesus and in His timing, Jesus would suddenly appear again back in the same room as before, but this time the remaining 11 disciples were present. Thomas’ doubting was removed totally upon seeing Jesus. It is one thing to see and believe. I get it because I’ve said before “I’ll believe it when I see it”. The point to remember is the bigger blessing, the more to learn from and through, is believing without required evidence. Faith requires exercise! Now we enter into the 2nd week after Easter Sunday. What’s up with that, you ask? What’s up is that with history available today, we can easily read and understand timelines. Two weeks out from the stone being rolled away there are many things happening and at play in such a short time. The first question being asked and raised by the Roman Government, the Sadducees and Pharisees and even Mary, the disciples and followers of Jesus was, who had stolen the body? A great lesson from the resurrection is that things are not always as they first appear. (I’ll say those thoughts for another column) For the enemies of Jesus they might have be on the Thomas bandwagon for awhile themselves. Not believing Jesus was alive, after all then had been responsible for His death. They had orchestrated it all so their surprise is understandable. The enemies of Jesus however would waste no time plotting again, what to do about all this about Jesus. This column series will continue. Don’t forget about Easter Sunday in just 14 days of time. Until then

What is it about the church?

There are many things that I really like about going to church. I like the hello’s, the waves, the conversations, I like the experience of doing things with other people. The word “fellowship” is the combination of these named likes, but I have a list that could keep going that fit the “fellowship” experience too. When most folks think about a pastor, the first thoughts usually are about the act of preaching. Preaching is a very important duty but the fulfillment of pastoral responsibilities is much more than just a message on a Sunday. Teaching, evangelism, discipleship, going and listening are all also important. The preaching of God’s Word, I also like to hear and share. Music it has been said, is one activity here on earth, that we will be doing in Heaven. Singing has been a big part of my life from my earliest of childhood memories. From hearing music in church, too singing with my paternal grandmother, too even singing with my sister while riding on the back of a motorcycle, holding on, traveling up and down good Southeastern Kentucky dirt and gravel roadways. Music for me took a deeper dive in church when I met Dr. Harold Wortman. “Doc” as he was affectionally called, taught me about words, inflection, singing diction and expression. His influence single handily changed my life. Because of that, my experience with music and church is a like about church that will never change. Growing up as a teenage, a more contemporary song that we sang in church was “What a mighty God we serve”. The tempo was upbeat, the music was lively and the words remain powerful. Those lyrics include: What a mighty God we serve, angles bow before Him, Heaven and earth adore Him, what a mighty God we serve. I command you Satan, in the name of the Lord, to take up your weapons and flee, for the Lord has given e authority to walk all over thee. What a mighty God we serve. This tune and words have been published in over 12 different hymnals, its been song by millions, yet the human author and writer is unknown. The one author we easily give all the credit to is God. The song has been used to motivate and encourage Christians on their journey and for that we give thanks to God. In part of 2020 and 2021, I was involved in a personal project of spiritual growth where I wrote a daily thought and took time for an added personal reflection. I did this to help me grow my reliance on God and to grow my faith and to write down my interactions and thoughts about my life as a Christian. Some of my expressions are statements, some are questions some are from evaluations of the failures in my life. Day 235 of this #56 project, I wrote on April 18, 2021, “What would happen is you just moved from singing, what a mighty God we serve, to believing it” - THM. I remember my thinking on this day with this quote. I was reflecting on the importance of words and actions. James, the brother of Jesus did some reflecting on this too. He wrote under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, that words and actions are not stand alone foundations. His challenge to us was that our words and actions together would be a foundation not only to stand on, but to build upon. My self reflection was about all that I had possibly missed out on because I hadn’t moved to the next step from just singing to believing. As a Christian I don’t want to miss out on any of God’s plans for my life. I am striving everyday to be more alert, more in tune with His ways and His opportunities, so I can be in His Will. It's not easy, but the effort is one I believe, I am required to strive for. What is it you life about church? What area or areas is there that God uses to speak and challenge you through? When you reflect, what do you see you can do better that will grow your relationship with God? For those answers, you will be required to have a conversation with Him. Until then

Easter

This week and Sunday especially, are considered by many, to be the most sacred of days on the Christian calendar. Easter arrives at the end of 40 days that we call lent. Easter arrives following a time of complete and overwhelming frustration and even devastation. Easter is a time of “high church” for many Christians. I write this because if there is an organ in your church, you will hear trumpets. There will be Easter Lillies standing tall, people will be dressed up and looking sharp. When I was growing up, Easter was that one time of the year my brother and I knew we would be off to get “Easter clothes”, mother made sure of that. Easter is filled with many elements of highlight and celebration, even though until Easter Sunday morning, it appeared that every dream had been crushed in just a few days. How could such an emotional, roller coaster occur? Why had the disciples, the followers of Jesus and even His mother Mary discovered themselves to be in such disarray? We need to be reminded that Jesus began His public ministry surrounded by questions of doubt and speculation, questions about anything and everything, Jesus. Who was He?, who sent Him?, what is He teaching?, under what authority does Jesus say and do the things He is saying and doing? All questions of doubt and inquiry. Jesus didn’t being His ministry with a big fan fare. If you pause and reflect, you will recognize from scripture, that Jesus worked purposely to keep a lid on the things He was doing. At the wedding, He asked those around Him to step out of the room, even His mother, He asked. Jesus repeatedly used the expression, tell no one, keep this to yourself. As He began His public ministry He had spend time continuing the reflection He had begun as a child. All throughout His life, Jesus knew His Heavenly Father, had sent Him to be on mission, with a purpose and He was working though His own decision about obedience. That was the challenges facing Jesus, so why would we think we could avoid an emotional roller coaster, when Jesus Himself faced the challenges and the temptations to fight His way through to obedience? Last Sunday Jesus had entered into the City of Jerusalem being greeted by folks lining the streets, waving palm leaves, and shouting “positive” phrases as He rode into town. Yet, in just 3 days, Jesus would find His disciples sleeping on the job, He would be betrayed by one who was with Him in the inner circle of trust, Jesus would discover those who had sat and listened to Him teach in the temple and hillsides, to now discover they had only been by-standers and were not followers at all. Jesus would be arrested, beaten and all the hopes, thoughts and dreams His followers had believed, was now all being questioned. This is how on that first day of the week, there was no fanfare by any of His followers. It was only Mary and Mary Magdalene only and even they had great reservations, and were so distraught from all they had just experienced. They were on their way to the tomb because of obligation. Jesus’ death had caused them a great rush to get His body into the grave before sundown. The work wasn’t finished and this was the first opportunity they had to complete the task. This was the church scene in that day, which is much different than our Easter Sunday services today. Today it is celebration, big dinners, happiness, faith expressed in many ways and forms, but in that day, the Mary’s had great challenges to even convince the disciples that Jesus was alive! Life has many experiences, up and downs. This Easter Sunday maybe filled with great highs, but come next Sunday, why should we let down the celebration of God’s love so greatly demonstrated for us? Why should we not be more pumped up tomorrow than today, because of our faith relationship with Jesus? History clearly shows we know He is alive today, where in His day and on that day, they were about to remember what He had taught them. If we know, then let us not delay, but God help us lead. Until then

Dependency is a strength

No one wants to be dependent on anyone or anything. Independence is the goal. We love the idea of freedom. Being able to pick and choose, do what we like and want to do. The thoughts of being dependent on someone else makes us feel weak and we might even have the image of “us” waiting around, just twiddling our thumbs, waiting on “that” other person to show up, to let us in, or do what we can’t. If that’s your thinking, there is no questions about those feelings. We’ve all been there a time or two in our lives and we might even be in such a situation right now. That is the feeling of helplessness and most of us immediately reject such type of thinking. Being strong is considered a positive image and I’m not disputing that is a positive image, because it is. However, strength can be demonstrated or measured in many ways. The word strength does’t seem to match with the word dependency. The word independence doesn’t seem to match well with the word dependency. The word freedom doesn’t seem to work well with the word dependence. However, I am suggesting that to recognize appropriate dependency is a great strength. Recognizing needs and solutions is a great strength. Recognizing surrender is a step to freedom, might seem to be totally out of step, but dependency and understanding work hand in hand when properly applied. In an attempt to be wise, I heard an individual say, “I make my own decisions.” I like the confidence and resolution of the statement, I even like the thought and attitude, but such a position that eliminates the clear need of help, assistance, direction, support and aid in life, will leave you stranded along life’s highway if you don’t take due notice. Dependency identifies a condition. I have been many things in life and I continue to remain dependent upon God. I am not writing this to be spiritually superior, I am sharing this because it is a truth that took the repeated experience of Him carrying me, to finally recognize. Being dependent Sid the best spot for me. I’ve branched out enough, I’ve done my own thing, and repeated that process over and over, thinking that I might discover a different result somehow. Sounds like insanity, because it is. I know I have no ability to control anything. I can share this because I’ve attempted to control many things. I have thought, I had things figured out, to just discover myself broken down along that same road of life you might be traveling today. I found strength in surrendering to God’s plan and purpose for my life. I found strength in acknowledging my survival depended totally on the shoulders of another. That other person is Jesus Christ in my life. I found strength in confessing my need for direction, wisdom and help. I have actually found more than I could have ever imaged through faith, because of God and His plan and because of Jesus and His obedience to God’s purpose for His life. The best decision I ever made in my life, was to begin my journey of faith and following God’s call on my life. I am confident you too will discover this same truth, but trusting God’s plan and purpose for your life. Until then

The Season of Lent

This is the fourth week of the Season of Lent. Lent is a time period of 40 days. The 40 days represent a time of fasting, which Jesus spent in the wilderness. Lent also represents a time of testing, in which the devil tempted Jesus. Jesus being in a hungry state of being because of fasting, the devil first tempted Jesus by telling him to turn stones into bread, which Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3. The devil took Jesus to the top of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Surely the Son of God could throw Himself off and not be hurt? Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16. The devil also took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. The devil offered Him a choice. By-pass His father’s plan of dying in our place on the cross at Calvary and the devil told Jesus he would give Him all the kingdom’s of the world. Jesus again quoted God’s Word. His response to this temptation was Deuteronomy 6:13 Lent is a Season of reflection, purpose, determination, evaluation and commitment to cause. Jesus Christ Himself spent His 40 days reflecting on what lied before Him. He knew He had been sent by His father to die in our place. The only Son of God, was going to yield freely His will and be obedient to His father’s purpose and die for us! Jesus was preparing to be lied about, lied too, abused, betrayed, plotted against, accused of crimes He did not commit and He was preparing to hear the crowds yell “release Barabbas” and He was preparing to hear the crowds also yell “crucify Jesus”, when asked what they wanted done with Jesus. Imagine the preparation, I know I can’t, can you imagine what He was thinking? Jesus knew the very crowd that would great Him with palm leaves and singing hosanna as Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, was the same people who would cry out for Him to be put to death. That requires something that I know I can’t even fathom getting ready to experience. If you ever have trouble understanding the Love of God, I’m with you. I am in the camp of people that are standing wondering, what kind of love is this? Love that freely gives up their life, so we would never have to experience the pain of death. For a Christian, there is no sting in death because Jesus died and lives, because He arose from the tomb, where they had laid Him. I’m confused by that kind of love, because what Jesus was demonstrating had never been seen before. Jesus was going to die for everyone, including those that were shouting for His death. You and I, were are no better of a person, simply because we are not shouting for His death, we are just as guilty. Jesus was preparing to die for the sins of the world, and He took His time in the wilderness to prepare for this, I’ve written about and yet so much more. Lent is a Season for us to reflect and ponder too. Lent is a Season for us to confirm our decisions, define our commitment and to become fully surrendered to following Jesus. Jesus had told those listening that they could destroy the temple, and in only 3 days He would build it back. This was a most confusing statement. It had taken the people some 46 years to rebuild King Solomon’s Temple. What kind of person would even think, they could do, what had taken hundreds of people years to do? It's a fair question to ask, or ponder. What kind of person would make such a statement? I know I am not qualified to make such a statement personally. If we got the best builders available, would they be able to rebuild the temple in 3 days? The best minds in the. construction business would not even give a consideration to such a crazy construction statement. Yet, Jesus made this statement. He being the Son of God, knew that what was impossible with man, was fully possible with God. Jesus also knew that man struggled to understand the ways of faith because we always think of things in terms of what we know and understand. God’s way are so much higher than ours. His thinking, ours doesn’t even compare in any fashion or way. Don’t be confused by the words of Jesus. Scriptures invites us to lean not on our own understanding, but in all our ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths. This invitation sets in motion a step by step process, that leads to life, through faith. Take time to get away with God. Jesus did, we call it Lent. Until then

Twisting Arms

“Twisting arms” is an expression that indicates one person is inflicting pain, discomfort, or pressure on another individual to get them to do something they don’t want to do. Of course, arm twisting has many different variables of pressure and pain. Some individuals may require just the slightest twist before they give in, while others may requires a full submission mode before giving into the demand of another. My yearly verse of scripture for 2021 came from the Book of James, chapter 4, verse 7. The first two words of this verse, “Submit yourselves…”, was my focus. The time devoted and energy I spent was toward my goal of fully understanding what the impact of making such a decision looked like. The focus was to comprehend actions that would serve as a good indication that I had made such a “Submit…” commitment. In a real “twisting arms” event, I think of my brother Jim. I could be professional today and say, we were just playing around when he would twist my arm and make me submit. However, that would be like saying when my mother would twist our ear off, while we were sitting in church and we were misbehaving, that mother was just playing too! Reality is, “twisting arms” is designed to demonstrate superior force and to make you do what is demanded by making you consent through force and infliction of pain. Faith in Jesus Christ is an act of submission, but there is absolutely no force from Him, to make anyone believe or follow Him. Faith is a free-will decision. I do so of my own free-will, no force, no coercion, no tricks and no moves to cause one to submit against their will. The best example of free-will submission is Jesus. Him following the wishes and will of His Heavenly Father, we’re all decisions of obedience, not force. Submit, submission, surrender, are words that to some, might be considered words of weakness, words that describe personal failure or a flaw. Faith and following would be two words that I believe best describe “Submit yourselves…” from James 4:7. Faith in Jesus Christ is not a decision that He, Jesus Himself, would ever force on anyone. Faith in Jesus Christ is not a decision that the God Himself, forces on anyone either. Faith is an action of free-will that unleashes all the resources of God into our lives. A decision to follow Jesus immediately provides direction, purpose, and a foundation from which we can begin to view our circumstances in light of His will, which changes everything. “Submit yourselves…” can also be view as a voluntary enlistment to become a Christian. It a perfect way to view a clear understanding of God’s demonstrated love for us and our free-will response to His death on the cross and His offer of forgiveness for the asking. Faith and following Jesus are never and will never be something forced upon anyone, ever! Will there be a time that everyone will acknowledge that Jesus was the Son of God, born in Bethlehem, the one who died on a cross in Jerusalem, was raised from the dead and lives forevermore, absolutely, but you will never be forced to follow Him. In 1961, Frank Pourcel recorded an instrumental song titled “Chariot”. Then in 1963, Little Peggy March sang the song, with added English lyrics, written by Norman Gimbel that led to big music success back in that day. Today, that classic song, is referenced to the movie Sister Act and Whoopi Goldberg, “I will follow Him”. A song about free-will submission that is motivating and encouraging. It is also a song of personal testimony that has seen millions of people profess through faith and actions by following Jesus. “I will follow him, wherever He may go. There isn’t an ocean too deep, a mountain so high it can keep me away”. The second stanza words are: “I must follow Him. Ever since He touched my hand, I knew, that near Him, I always would be and nothing can keep Him from me, He is my destiny”. The chorus to the song is the commitment and is a great refrain for anyone declaring submission to James 4:7, “Submit yourselves …”. “I love Him, I love Him, I love Him, and where He goes I’ll follow, forever and ever and side by side together, I’ll be with my true love and share a thousand sunsets together, beside Him”. Jesus will never twist your arm, but He will be and is gently knocking at your door. Until then