We've all heard the importance of providing our bodies with proper nutrients in order to take on the tasks of any given day. Despite the information that's out there, skipping meals (for any number of reasons) still seems to be a popular thing to do. These practices, however, can have some incredibly undesirable health consequences, if continued. I always thought that my mother was just being a 'mom' when she would get on to me for running out the door in the morning without breakfast. But, in fact, she knew that missing meals (any meal, regularly) would have some harmful effects on my health! With the help of one Lara Engler, writer for NSCA's Performance Training Journal, the following lets us in on the scientific process that takes place...

Any time we skip meals, our bodies go into 'fasting mode.' So, what this means is that carbohydrates (the number one source of fuel for the body), proteins, and fats are all used for energy. As this kind of fasting continues, the glycogen storage deposits found in the liver and muscles become depleted. As the glucose levels in the body drop, the body looks for other sources of fuel.Since the brain and nerves prefer energy from glucose, protein tissues (muscle and liver) are broken down. In efforts to preserve the remaining protein, the body starts to metabolize fat for energy in the form of ketone bodies (acetoacetic acid). The process of using ketone bodies as fuel is called 'ketosis.' This process, if continued, can cause the following negative effects on the body:

• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Lowered Blood Pressure
• Elevated Uric Acid (Kidney Disease)
• Stale Taste in Mouth
• Fetal Harm/Stillbirth in Pregnant Women

Skipping meals and restricting calories create cravings. Rapid high blood sugar occurs when you give into these cravings. As a result, our bodies create high amounts of triglycerides, which convert to fat-storage ... and the list goes on and on. You get the picture, don't you?

Well, as followers of Jesus Christ and partners together 'on the path,' we too have a meal that we need to be attending to regularly. And, if we don't, there will be adverse effects on our spiritual lives (the only part of our lives that lasts for eternity). No, I'm not speaking of Holy Communion right now, though in a sense it is a time of communion with God. What I'm speaking of is our daily quiet time with God. This is the daily time when our souls get fed--when we give God an opportunity to feed our spirits. Maybe you've already discovered this, but once you get into a regular time to meet God ... if, on occasion, you find this time squeezed out of your day, there cannot help but be some adverse effects on your spiritual health. It's so real that at times, you can't help but 'feel it'...

I know, everybody's different, but my experiences in this area seem to be very similar to others who--by their own witness--have had similar outcomes. My quiet time with God is shortly after I get up in the morning (but, you have to find whatever time works best for you ... and stick with it). My habit is to get up, go to the kitchen, and make a pot of coffee (which is another part of my routine that works for me). From the coffee pot, I move to the dining room table, lay out my Bible, my daily devotional (My Utmost for His Highest, usually), and my prayer journal. Then, before I begin this quiet time, I light a candle. For me, it is representative of 'the presence of God.' Through the act of light the candle, I am purposefully inviting God to sit down with me and spend some quality time with me, to enlighten me about things that are going on in my life ... or about people that I care for deeply and am lifting up in prayer that day. I begin with a daily devotional (My Utmost for His Highest), then a prayer that I've come to love (see On the Path, GOD OF THE EARLY MORNINGS, 1/21/10), which helps me to center my thoughts on the One I'm taking time for. I then move to my daily Bible reading (and I mix up the yearly schedule each year--this years, I'm reading about the life of Christ 4 times through), allowing God's word to speak to my heart. Finally, I turn to my prayer journal and spend time speaking to God ... and then listening for God to speak to my heart on some of the prayer topics for the day.

If I miss this daily time with God, I do feel it! Heaven forbid that I'd actually skip it on purpose! Spiritually speaking, I'm weaker on those days that I miss this time. Knowing that, I've come to guard, protect, and make this time an absolute priority on each and every day (though there are times, like when traveling, that I'm not able to keep this exact routine). Can you think of the adverse effects that not taking time with God might have on your spiritual life?

• If you suffer from certain weaknesses in your life, these would be the days that you would give in to those weaknesses more readily--whatever they might be...
• If you've been trying to 'pray through' to an answer on a particular topic, this may be a day that would set you back in that process--not because God wants that, but because many things take time to learn ... and a pause in that process--many times--means a pause in the outcome, too...
• You may have given up an opportunity for God to speak to you on an important direction for your life ... for that particular day; how many times have we missed opportunities with God (that God wanted to give us) because something came up that was more important than our regular time of being fed by God?

Well, by now you've really got the picture. From my personal experience, I cannot stress enough having a quiet time with God ... regularly. It's not magic. It's relationship! Relationships grow when time is invested. This is time well worth investing. Won't you join me in growing in our faith, growing in our walk with God, growing in our potential to be used by God in mighty ways for his kingdom ... by investing in this relationship? I'm sure that God is waiting for each and every one of us every day; the invitation is there before us. But, it's up to us to respond... Pray for me ... and I'll be praying for you!

On the path together,

Rom

I have always been a fan of 'westerns.' And, I've learned a lot about people from reading western novels--especially historical western novels that involve real people from a real past. Never having been a cattle man myself, I have also had a chance to pick up some of the lingo used in the cattle business ... cattle drives in particular. One of the terms that has stuck with me is 'bunch quitter.' Let me see if I can define it first, then make an effort to apply it...

When a cattle drive is in full operation, there are several positions that cowboys take to keep the cattle moving forward--all in one desired direction. Here are those positions, to the best of my knowledge:

• Point Rider - a cowboy who rides at the front of the herd on a trail drive, leading the way.
• Swing Rider - a cowboy who rides alongside the herd, not far behind the point rider, to turn it in the right direction.
• Flank Rider - a cowboy who rides at the side of the herd, behind the swing riders, to keep it from spreading out.
• Drag Rider - a cowboy who rides at the rear of the herd to keep it moving (etc.).

All who are a part of a cattle drive have very important jobs; each has to do his or her part in order to have a successful drive--to move the cattle to their intended destination. So, what does this have to do with our life on the path? Well, I could talk about the challenges of being a leader in the Church and use cattle as an analogy for God's people (instead of sheep, like Jesus did) ... but I'm not going to do that. What I am going to do is to talk about how important it is that as we're on the path together, that we continue to move in a spiritual direction in our lives that would be pleasing to God--that God's direction (no matter if the destination is some place we've never been to before) would come first and foremost in our lives...

The cowboys that I feel most sorry for are those riding drag! They've always seemed to be the ones who've had to work the hardest--to take the brunt of the stubborness and contrariness of the herd. Those drag riders don't only have to 'eat the dust' of the entire herd, but they occasionally have to fight (a senseless use of time & energy, which is why it's so frustrating) ... the 'bunch-quitters'--those who somewhat consistently wanted to turn tail and run back to where they've been before (where the water was the day before, not realizing that there was water ahead, too)...

So, here's the question for us, as followers of Jesus Christ and members of his Body: Have we ever been guilty of being 'bunch-quitters?' Have we ever stubbornly put down our foot and said, 'No more! We've had enough change around here; I really don't want to go where those God has sent to lead us are leading?' Every time we do that, we miss out on God's very best for us--to lead us to newer and greener pastures. God never leads to the past; God always leads to his intended future for us (which may look quite differnt than anything we've ever experienced before)... The main thing is, no matter how much it challenges our past experience, that we keep on following God in the direction he is leading...

Jesus dealt with bunch-quitters by simply making a statement and it is found in Matthew 12:46-50 (TEV), as follows:

46 Jesus was still talking to the people when his mother and brothers arrived. They stood outside, asking to speak with him. 47 So one of the people there said to him, "Look, your mother and brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak with you." 48 Jesus answered, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "Look! Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 Whoever does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother, my sister, and my mother."

When we're busy being a 'bunch-quitter,' we're not paying attention to where the rest of the herd (or flock) is going...  There's a danger there! We're taking an incredible risk of missing the destination that God has in mind ... and mis-guiding others to do the same! Are we staying on the path today, as assets to God's kingdom right in our area? Or, are we going to do what we want to do regardless of where God is leading ... as bunch-quitters working against God's intended destination?

Sometimes, it's not easy to stay on the path together, but that's sure my prayer--that all will put God's will ahead of their own, God's purposes ahead of their own, and God's desires for a future ahead of their own personal preferences... When busy working against the direction of the herd--the direction those led by God are leading, are we really doing what our Father in heaven wants? It's something to think about as we're...

On the path together,

Rom

Teaching others what true worship is all about is sometimes very trying! It's hard enough to try and figure it out for yourself. But then, when you do finally have a sense of just what worship is all about, it's really hard to explain that to others. Your best bet, sometimes, is to just patiently pray for them and help lead them down the path you've been on, that they might come to discover what worship really is for themselves...

Sometimes, I think that God has to 'shake things up' a bit in order to get our attention regarding worship. People hate change, don't they--at least in general? And, worship is one of those areas that folks really don't like changes taking place! What do you mean you're going to use other instruments in worship? We just got done rebuilding our organ; it costs us $125,000, for Pete's sake. Well, I don't know who Pete is--for sure--but I'm most sure that even Pete doesn't listen to a lot of organ music these days. New instrumentation in worship not only connects with the hearts of many people (who enjoy hearing music the way they enjoy hearing music--like on the radio); new orders of worship sometimes force us to rethink why we do what we do--other than just 'because we've always done it that way.' So, change can be really healthy, in that sense.

What got me to thinking about all of this is a conversation I had one day with someone who is actually a worship leader (though young in the faith & relatively new to leading worship). Since I happened to be playing in the praise band, rehearsing for the upcoming Sunday, I simply made a comment about using a particular song to help lead people into the presence of God; yeah, right here in our sanctuary! Well, it must have taken this person off guard, because their automatic response was: "We're just singing a song!" THIS IS GOD ALMIGHTY THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WORSHIPING! HOW CAN WE ... JUST BE SINGING A SONG? (O.K., o.k., that may have been a bit dramatic, but you get how I felt ... having something so near and dear to my heart called 'just anything....')

When Jesus was trekking through Samaria (unlike most Jews of his day), he had a very interesting conversation with a woman who'd lived quite a life! She was a Samaritan (a half breed) who had learned to worship God on the particular mountain that they were on when they spoke. Jesus, a good Jew, knew that most Jews believed that the only place to really experience authentic worship was in Jerusalem, at the Temple. But, Jesus threw her a curve ball. John 4:21-24, TEV, tells us:

Jesus said to her, "Believe me, woman, the time will come when people will not worship the Father either on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans do not really know whom you worship; but we Jews know whom we worship, because it is from the Jews that salvation comes. 23 But the time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants. 24 God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is."

So, if you're praying for a new understanding of worship or trying to help someone else understand what worship really is, just know that that in itself is really an act of God. It has nothing to do with location. It really has nothing to do with style or how we've always done it. It has more to do with the heart. Are you open to God's Spirit living in you, that God might make known to you what true worship really is? It's only then that being in God's presence ... and leading others to come into God's presence ... will be more than 'just singing a song!'

Until next time,

Rom

Yesterday was officially the first day of Lent. At the Dodgeville United Methodist Church, we gathered for a time of worship, to remember our need of repentance, and to be marked by 'ashes' as a reminder of our helplessness without a God who loves us--who sent his Son to reconcile us, through the giving of his very life. Now, it may sound a bit strange to some, but--and especially during this time of year--I see God in the simplest of circumstances.  Do you?  There was something--just a little thing--that took place during the worship service that was a good reminder to me of the imperfect world that we live in (and, thus, our need for God). For some reason, I forgot to light the candles prior to the worship service starting. So, I decided that during the opening song would be the perfect place to go up and light the candles, in front of everyone, as an act of worship--bringing the light of God into the sanctuary. I knew that we always kept one of those hand-held lighters up front behind the 'big Bible' on the communion table. So, I just made my way up there, confident that my decision to light these babies during the opening hymn was nothing less than a brilliant cover for my forgetfulness, and what do you think  happened? You got it; the Bic ... didn't click! And, to make matters worse, I wouldn't give up trying to make it light ... though finally I had to.  (Someone finally rescued me by finding a lighter that did work, making their way up front, and lighting the candles for me. How helpless could one pastor feel!)

Imperfection. Failure. Messing up. All of these things point to our condition, without Christ. Have you ever been there before? In a couple of weeks, we're going to be looking at what took place in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before Jesus' crucifixion and death. Never has there ever been a better example of failure than what took place in the Garden ... time after time after time! But, what was Jesus' response, even at that critical time?

"Get up! Let's get going!" -- Matthew 26:46a (MSG)

If you're entering into the season of Lent this year feeling like you're not where you need to be with God ... every day, then you're not alone. And, I think that Jesus' words to his disciples on that fateful night over 2,000 years ago, would be the same that he would want to share with us today. If you're prone to falling, if you're susceptible to making mistakes, if you're weakness has been messing up in any way ... then leave it behind! "Get up! Let's get going!" is what Jesus wants to tell you today!

Well, like I said, it was a good reminder of the imperfection of our world and our lives when that lighter didn't light--not at all what God (or Rom) had planned originally. But, thank God for this season of Lent. For it's in Jesus and his humanness that we see what God had in mind all along. And, by putting our faith in Jesus--who gave his life for us as a final sacrifice, in order to reconcile our relationship with God--we can now be 'perfect' before God--not because of any effort on our part, but because our lives--through faith in Jesus--are now covered by the sacrifice of his death. What a God we have! What LOVE has come our way! Because it's only LOVE, in the midst of our everyday failures, who would say: "Leave the past in the past... Get up! Let's get going!"

On the path together,

Rom

 I usually receive several forwarded emails a week...  Most of them are worth reading; some of them are even worth considering.  I received one from my sister, Joy (Florida), this week ... and actually read it (for a second time) as a part of my devotional time one day. At the risk of you having already heard this one, here it is:

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile.'

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch.... An overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.

As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling.' His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford.. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the Restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.' I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you... God is here working through me to give you hope.'

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son.. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope...' We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not church goers, but we are believers.. That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love. I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?' I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son,the instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student. I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
 

As I sat there at my dining room table that day reading my Wesley Study Bible, I wondered if the Church would ever learn this lesson ... as well as this un-churched person had. Sometimes, even though we should be well aware of the word of God, we forget that Jesus said (Matthew 8:20, NRSV): "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."  In other words, Jesus was a homeless man, too!  He also said (Matthew 25:40, NRSV), as I pondered this story and its lessons for our lives, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."  If you remember the Gospel stories, you'll remember who Jesus' mother & brothers are...

Well, it really hit me today: What the Church needs more and more are for people to live their faith beyond Sundays--beyond their weekly habit of worship! I'm very proud of the congregation of Dodgeville United Methodist Church for having the love and compassion of Christ to reach out to those less fortnate in our world--the Cornerstone community in particular.  The old saying 'Ministry can be messy' sure comes to life at those parties (and if you've ever been a part of a ministry that reaches out to the underprivileged, you know what I mean)!  Thank you, God, for the opporutunities you give us to serve YOU ... and that's what we're doing every time we serve 'the least of these.'  For those of you who may have never given it a try before--to put your faith into gear and serve those less fortunate, maybe it's time for you to have breakfast at McDonald's.  I'd just bet that God has an opportunity waiting for you there, too...

On the path together,

Pastor Rom

In this particular entry, I simply want to share with you something that has become near and dear to my heart ... as I spend daily quiet time with God.  In readying My Utmost for His Highest the other day--the daily devotional based on the writings of Oswald Chambers (pictured below), he had a prayer on his January 9 page that has become an entry-point to my time with God each day--centering me, helping to re-prioritize my life, etc.  Well, I don't take his prayer exactly as it was written and pray it.  Instead, I have adapted it for my personal use.  Maybe you will find this prayer helpful for your walk with God also...

O LORD, You are the God of the early mornings, the God of the late nights, the God of the highest mountain peaks, and the God of the deepest seas. But, my God, my soul has horizons further away than those of early mornings, deeper darkness than the nights of earth, higher peaks than any mountain may possess, and greater depths than any sea in nature. You who are the God of all of these, by my God! I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot discover, dreams I cannot realize. My God, search me ... and be my God today! AMEN.

(Adapted from O.C. Jan 9 MUHH)

For Christmas this year, I was given a 'charging station' as a gift. It was, without a doubt, one of my favorite gifts given me this year. Now, I have a central location where I can charge my iPod, my bluetooth earpiece (for use with my cell phone), and my cell phone every night, all in the same place.  And, for a Type A person like myself, it really 'trips my trigger,' so to speak.

In our personal walk with God (or just in this life in general), we too need recharging ... daily.  Where do you go to get recharged; what is your place?  And, what time of day do you set aside to get recharged? Finally, what method do you use to get plugged in each day?  The above prayer is my way.  I would be interested to hear how some of you enter into your 'quiet times.'  Again, this prayer--adapted from Oswald Chambers--is my personal way ... to position myself humbly before God ... and to prepare myself to spend time with God--to hear from God. We all have to find what works for us. But, the main thing is ... you have to find the time--not always an easy task in this life we live, but one well worth while!

God's blessings on your 'quiet time,'

Rom

 I just read a newsletter the other day that hit me as being 'right on target.'  It was a bulleye, if you know what I mean.  It just happened to be written by my son, Josh, who is a United Methodist pastor up in Richland County. And I thought it was the perfect message for a brand new year.  Listen...

Hebrews 12:1-2a reminds and encourages us, "As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end."

This passage reminds us that there are people everywhere watching our step. They know that we call ourselves Christians, but do we follow through with our actions? With this attention, let us not shrink in discouragement or fear when we slip up or when we're not perfect, but let us keep focused on the one who made our relationship with God possible--Jesus!

This passage encourages us to keeep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we continue through life. When we have something solid to focus on, we're less likely to become distracted by what's around us. We'll be less likely to choose those things that may take us away from our relationship with God with a strong focal point like Jesus before us. But, each and every day, we need to choose to make Jesus our focal point.

One way to continue to stay close to God in 2010 is by digging into God's word. Spend 10-15 minutes a day and read a few verses. Let us refocus on our relationship with God in 2010, and continue (or begin) to strengthen our relationship with God. By reading the Bible, we'll be able to get to know God a bit better. With our reading, we should spend a few moments in prayer asking for God's guidance and understanding as we read. And while we're already praying, it wouldn't hurt to lift a few people and/or situations up in prayer as well.

I'm reminded of the old chorus: "Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus." It goes like this: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look fulll in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace." Enough said.  What a perfect way to begin a brand new year...

In Christ, Rom

This week, I got to thinking about necessary change that needs to take place in the church and how difficult that can be sometimes.  I suddenly realized, in the midst of this thought, that God has given me the perfect illustration of what it takes to see positive change take place in life...

Recently, I have had to deal with some health issues that not that many years ago I would not even have dreamt of.  A few years back (I'm 51+ years old now), I began getting an annual checkup on or around my birthday.  I thought that this was a good thing to do, since I was soon to be approaching the 50 mark.  For that past several years, all has gone well.  Even my cholestrol (which always seems to be a problem for us Pegrams) was under control!  But then, this past summer, I got some not so good news.  My blood sugar levels were spiking ... out of the normal range.  My physician immediately put me on a low dose of Metformin (which those of you with diabetes probably know all too well).

The doctor--the expert in health issues, by the way--gave me some advice.  I basically had one of two choices.  I could either take the attitude that I was going to do something about this, following his instructions for changes that needed to take place in my life, thus gaining better health in the process.  Or, I could take the attitude of far too many people (according to my doctor) and just bide my time and ask for a pill--permanently.

I decided (and I believe wisely so) to take my doctor's advice--again, the expert in health issues.  (Why would you--if someone has gone to school and trained as long as doctors have to--not take their advice, since they are the experts in their fields?)  He told me that I would have to do two things that would help move me back to good health and out of the danger of diabetes affecting me in negative ways:

1. I would have to drop a bit of weight.  I was too heavy.  I'd been too heavy for quite some time ... and I knew it.  My health issues were now forcing a change that should have taken place a long time ago.  (Why are we so stubborn when it comes to lifestyle changes?)  So I met with a dietician, was educated in how I should be eating (to get my blood sugar down) and was told that that would probably take care of my weight, too.
2. I would have to discipline myself to exercise regularly--even a 30-minute walk a day.  I walked occasionally before this, but not in a disciplined way.  Now, my health seemed to depend upon it.

Well, guess what?  The 'experts' were right ... about everything they told me.  I went on the new diet (very satisfying, by the way) and not only have I gotten my blood sugar under control, but I've dropped the pounds, too ... and feel so much better (in every way).  I've added regular exercise to my new lifestyle (though it still needs improvement) and that has helped keep my blood sugar under control, too!  Amazing, isn't it?  I followed the advice off the experts, needing to make changes in my life that would assure me a healthier tomorrow ... and it's working!  But, do you know what I had to do before any of this would work?  I had to make up my mind to do the right thing...  That's it.

The Church today--most established churches anyway--are in dire need of some necessary changes to be healthy and grow.  The United Methodist Church in particular is busy dying a slow death.  That is not just a rumor.  That is fact.  So why, in the face of this fact, are we so slow to change ... or even open to necessary changes taking place?  Outside observers may think that we just don't care about the Church anymore.  But, I don't think that's true ... any more than it would be true to say that I don't care about my life.  I don't know about you, but my health is very important to me.  It has to do with longevity of life ... and quality of life while I'm here on this planet.  And, I want to be at my very best for God!  I'll be held accountable for that.  Well, it's the same with the Church.  The last figure I heard was that the United Methodist Church has 44 years left ... if something doesn't change.  That's not very long.  But, if we will just--first and foremost--make up our mind to do the right thing ... I believe the rest will fall into place.  I've helped to grow churches before (and what's healthy grows).  That's what God's called me to do.  But, will that be allowed in the future?  We need a change of lifestyle.  We need to change the way we do things.  We have the greatest message of truth this world has ever seen or heard of!  That doesn't need to change.  But, how we go about sharing that with a world that's hurting and desperately in need of some Good News ... is up to us.

Until next time, Rom

In Matthew 7:15-20 (TEV) Jesus tells us, "Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the outside, but on the inside they are really like wild wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. ¹⁷ A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ And any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. ²⁰ So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do." ...

We don't have figs growing around where I live, but we do have some grapes.  What we really have in this area of Wisconsin is apples--apple orchards galore!  My parent's last place of residence in Wisconsin (before retiring to Florida) was out in the country--basically an apple orchard that they built a house in the midst of. So, I know apples when I see them; that's for sure.

My folks retired to Florida.  One of the things my father loves best about their Florida residence is the fruit trees in the yard ... and in the neighborhood (he picks some while taking his morning walks).  He has a lemon tree, I know.  And, he's had orange trees or a variety of.  Again, because of this background, I've had some experience with fruit trees.

One thing I've discovered is this: Whatever kind of a tree it is, that's what kind of fruit should be hanging off of its branches in season.  So, here's my question, in light of Jesus' words above: Why are there so many in this world who claim the Christian faith, yet by their daily actions--especially the way that they treat others--look very little like the root who is supposed to nourish them?  Another way of asking it is this: Why are their oranges hanging off the apple tree?  It just doesn't make sense, does it?  And yet, isn't this exactly what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 7?  It seems that we are living in the midst of those days...

O.K., one more question as it relates to false prophets ... or those whose lives seem contrary to the life they verbally claim: Where's the LOVE?  If I'm reading my scripture correctly (1 Corinthians 13, for example), LOVE is the greatest witness to the presence of God's Spirit within us.  So, here we go again: Where's the LOVE?

Jesus follows up his little talk about false prophets with this, from Matthew 7:21 (TEV): "Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do."  Loving others--all others, unconditionally--is what our Father in heaven wants us to do.  How is that playing out in our lives?  Are there oranges hanging off the apple tree ... or apples?

Until next time,

Rom

A week or so ago, I was reading a devotional by Oswald Chambers (as I normally do each morning) and this one hit with great impact--like right between the eyes!  The part of the devotional that really hit me had to do with 'distractions' in life ...

John 20:21 (TEV) says, "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.'" According to Chambers, a missionary (and this means all of us, as disciples of Jesus Christ) is one who is sent by Jesus, just as he was sent by God.  He goes on to say that the great 'controlling factor' is not the needs of the people, but the command of Jesus (i.e. to make disciples, etc.  See Matthew 28:19-20)!  The source of our inspiration in our service for God is behind us, not up ahead somewhere...

We have such a tendency, as caring human beings, to let our motivation for serving God come out of whatever need is before us at the moment.  Now, it is important to be aware of 'felt needs,' but that should not be our overall motivation for serving God.  Our motivation should absolutely be ... our relationship to God's Son, Jesus ... and his very specific call on our lives to  'make disciples.'

Lately, the economy that we live in has been a tremendous distraction--to both Christians and non-Christians alike, I believe.  As a distraction to Christians, the state of our ecomony has done at least a couple of things as I have observed my own churches: 1) Christians have begun to live 'out of fear' more than I have ever seen it before in my lifetime.  As Christians, do we not believe that we serve a God who is bigger than any circumstance that we will go through?  Trust seems to be the name of the game.  What this economy has revealed ... is where the trust of many lies.  For many believers, it still lies in the security of money.  As one book put it, that I have read lately, 'Apparently, Christians have decided that they can serve to masters!'  The result of all of this has been a decrease in giving in local churches, less ministry or more stressed ministry taking place, and yet another distraction to take us away from our primary purpose.  Well, let me go on with this: 2) The economy has affected local churches--to the point where, with some, the only conversations taking place any more are ... financial ones.  Jesus had conversations about money, too.  But, to the best of my knowledge, they weren't the kind that we're having today.  Jesus used money as a platform to talk about who we really trust.  If our trust is in our money, we're in trouble.  As I've watched my retirement dwindle and dwindle over the past few months (unlike some who have lost it all), the one thing that I have learned all over again is ... the only place I can trust and be assured of that trust never letting me down ... is in my relationship with God.

Yes, this world has always been full of distractions, but lately ... it seems that money has become one of the worst.  Will we--like much of the rest of the world--be distracted from what really matters?  Will we be distracted from our primary calling, as disciples of Jesus Christ?  As a pastor (and I know that this may seem callous in the face of many, many needs today), my job is to keep the Church--the Body of Christ--on task.  Now, more than ever, is the perfect time to continue to focus on 'making disciples for Jesus Christ.'  It is the freedom that Christ offers humanity, in trusting him for their every need, that is what the world needs today ... in the midst of this lousy economy.  For, in the midst of this lousy economy, we serve a Mighty God ... who will see us through everything, even unto eternity...

Let's not get distracted.  Our greatest opportunity may be before us right now...

Until next week, Rom