"Two P's or not "two P's" that is the question...

Matthew 2:11

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹¹And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

American Standard Version (ASV)

 ¹¹ And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshipped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹¹ They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

My Husband and I were talking today after he had been "corrected" in his blog by someone who read the word "worshipped" in one of his poems. Well after a little bit of research we found it spelled both ways...both are correct. Imagine, the same word with different spellings. Even as I write this my "spell check" is telling me it is wrong.

My question is this, what is the difference of how we spell the word? We mean the same thing...the word has two spellings but one definition. Why do we, as humanity have to argue over a "p". As my husband said "just another device that satan can use in order to divide God's people."

"Two "p's" or not two "p's" that is the question and my answer is this...what difference does it make? They are both a different spelling of the same word. There are far more "important issues" that divide us (which they too should be removed)...

We are all called to fall down and worship. When we are done...who cares if we used one or two p's? Does God really care of we use one or two or does He care whether we fell down and worshipped...which is more important?

The Knots Prayer

The Math of Lent

February 22, 2012

Ash Wednesday

Joel 2:12-17a CEB

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 CEB

          As we enter this time of Lent, we remember that it is a time of self-reflection, a time when our hearts turn towards the journey to the cross, a time when we ponder on the gift that God so freely gives to you and to me…the gift of redemption and forgiveness wrapped in a cross on top of a hill from so long ago. As I reflect on my life and walk with God I am reminded by the reading from Joel that it is not the outside that God is concerned with, it is not my outward appearance but the appearance of my heart…how is it really with my soul. God is waiting for the day when all of His creation turns back to Him as He had planned for it to be from the very beginning.

          There is sort of a Math having to do with Lent. There is a letting go…a subtraction of the things that bind us and there is a picking up of…an addition of the things and practices that bring us closer to God. It’s like packing for a trip…you see sometimes we pack too much for the journey…we get a little carried away with the just in case stuff that there is either no room for the important or we are so waited down that we are too tired for the journey. So…we decide to let go of what we feel we need to let go of but that in itself can be a problem. Let me read to you about some subtraction and addition…listen to what can happen if we get too much of this addition and subtraction math…the scripture is found in Matthew 6:1-6 and 16-21…

          There is a danger of adding too much and we want to show how religious we are to those who are around us…all this addition and subtraction can make our heads explode…but then you have to add in the multiplying that we may feel we need to do…take on more projects, do more than our share of different new and improved things that will make us super Lenten warriors , and the like, only to wind up frustrated and overtired and not even sure what this whole Lent thing is about…It becomes all about us and what we do and less about what God did and continues to do…

          How fitting it is that we begin our Lenten journey in ashes…the thought brings us back to the reality it’s not about us…Titus tells us that it is not by what we do that we are saved but by God’s grace we are redeemed.  There may be reasons why we need to unpack or add in our spiritual life and that’s OK…as long as we don’t lose sight of what the Lenten journey is…it’s our journey of reflection and hope…it’s the road…our means of access…we travel to the destination at the end of our 40 day journey. The place where God showed His greatest compassion and mercy…the place where He gave His Son to die in our stead so that we may have life renewed and redeemed…the foot of the Cross of Calvary. It is good that we begin in ashes for it is by ashes we were made and to ashes we will return. Wednesday’s ashes…God transformed into the beauty of the cross for me and for you.

Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Forgiving God, full of compassion and redemption, as we enter this season of Lent we pray that we would emerge renewed by your Grace. As we search our lives and our hearts, help us to see the changes we need to make to walk closer to and with you. Create in us a clean heart, O Lord, and a steadfast Spirit within us so that we may be a light that shines in the darkness of the world in which we live. May we focus on the eternal and not the external things in our lives. Speak to us in new ways and may we have a new revelation of your love that was shown on the cross…the love that came down in the form of your Son, Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

How Good of God!

February 19, 2012

Seventh Sunday of Epiphany

Transfiguration Sunday

Worship Theme: God’s Healing Mercy

Psalm 41:1-4, 13 NRSV Bible

Isaiah 43:18-25 NRSV Bible

2 Corinthians 1:18-22NRSV Bible

Mark 2:1-12 NRSV Bible

          Lately I have been seeing the Ad on TV about the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk for cancer. Now the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Walks are challenging and exciting events held in multiple US cities each year to benefit breast cancer causes. Walkers are challenged to walk approximately 20 miles a day for 3 days. They camp out each night in a tent city. All meals, snacks, and trail support are provided. Each walker must raise a minimum of $2300 in donations to participate. These participants are out there doing what they can to make money for the cure for cancer. I have thought about doing the walk myself but I don’t really think I am in shape enough for it but maybe someday I will be.

          Humanity has for years been trying to find cures for many diseases and ailments. There are so many different sicknesses that affect humanity it can be mind boggling. We hear many stories in the bible about diseases. We hear about people with leprosy…a woman who hemorrhaged for many years…demon possession and many more. Disease has been around for a long time. There is also sickness that we have within our souls. Sicknesses like prejudice, hate, ego, tyranny, the list just goes on. The sickness we have on the outside we can go and see a doctor for but those sicknesses within our souls…where do we find healing…who can give us restoration…who can we trust to heal us from our inward infirmities?

          Last week we talked about it being “Soul Cleaning Time”. It is time to reflect on our souls and to clean out the clutter that is there. But what happens as we clean out our souls? How are we restored to “good health” again? This morning, we heard God speak to the relationship He had with the Israelites and it holds true for you and for me to this day. We find our restoration of the relationship with God through the new thing He was doing. God was making a way for restoration. The way is found through our relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. How good and awesome of God to love us so much that He wanted to restore humanities relationship with Him? Humanity was created to be relational with Him and with others. Now that’s something to shout about. It is through His Mercy we are healed…through the wounds of Christ we are restored…

          The 2 Corinthians this morning tells us about who or in what we can trust. God’s word is as sure today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow. It is there where we find answers…it is where we find hope…it is where we find peace…it is where we can read about…reflect on the mercy that God has shown in the past and will continue to show now and into the future.  God said it so it shall be done! How good and awesome and loving of God to give us a guide book in life. One that will not lead astray but keeps us right on track. One that we can trust will tell us the truth…whether or not we want to hear it. One that will help us turn from the byways of the world to the highway of God…

          I want to read a healing story found in Mark Chapter 2. It’s found on page yes 911 in the pew bible. Listen to God’s goodness and love shown through Jesus…we will be reading verses 1-12…read from the NRSV Bible…

These men had heard about Jesus and His compassion for others. They knew that their friend could only be healed by the One who came to bring life eternal. They knew that their friend would be healed by mercy and compassion. Jesus not only healed His outer self but healed His broken inward self. He was forgiven of His sins and made whole again. It was mercy that healed this man.

Beloved child of the Most High God…as we enter the season of Lent this Wednesday, let us take stock of our soul. Is there healing that needs to take place? Is there a way in us that we need to change? Have we gotten off the Highway and turned to the byways? Let us take our souls to the foot of the Cross and receive healing and wholeness there. Let us shed the world and put on Christ. Let us trust in God’s eternal word to get us through the day. How good of God to show us mercy and forgiveness. How god of God to redeem us and love us. How good of God to send His Son to show us the way. How good of God to make a way in the wilderness through the blood of the Lamb, our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, spilt on Calvary’s cross for you and for me. How good it is to receive God’s healing mercy and peace.

AMEN

Soul Cleaning Time!

February 12, 2012

Sixth Sunday of Epiphany

Worship Theme: God’s glory manifested in cleansing

2 Kings 5:1-14 NRSV Bible

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Mark 1:40-45

          As the days are getting longer with more light than dark, I am beginning to think more about spring and less about the winter. I am looking forward to when the flowers start blooming again, the warm weather starts becoming a reality instead of a thought and a more variety of birds start coming back to the bird feeders. I also am beginning to think about how it’s just about time to open the windows and getting rid of all that winter dust and getting that nice spring scent in the house. I don’t know about you but I can’t wait to clean the house of all its winter doldrums an welcoming in the newness of spring… There’s something about a clean, fresh smelling house that just lifts my spirit. A new, fresh start…

          At this same time of year I also think about my soul…does it need some cleaning, does it need to have the freshness restored to it? We can tend to get ourselves spiritually stale and need some type of renewed freshness in our spiritual life. The world around us is full of dirt and grime and sometimes this dirt and grime comes “under the door of our spirits” and makes it dull and lifeless instead of the luster and shine God intended it to have. But how, when and where can we find this healing…this cleansing that is so needed for our spirits?

          In the 2 Kings Scripture from this morning, we heard about a man named Naaman. Now he was a big and important guy but he had one drawback that caused him to be an outcast. He had leprosy.  Now Leprosy was a disease thought as a symbol of sin. We hear in the bible about Moses sisters Miriam being struck with leprosy by God because she plotted against Moses because of his marriage to an “outsider”. It was her punishment from God. But how was Naaman cleansed from this disease. It was through the waters…through the word of God given by Elisha who told him what to do. Reluctantly he followed this word to him and he was made clean. Through the water of God’s word…through baptism we are made clean. This is one way how we are cleansed…

          In the 1 Corinthians we heard, we are told that our cleansed life demands discipline. We are to run the race with integrity and with purpose. We keep our spirits clean by following that discipline of running the race to win. I like how the Message Translation puts this scripture…

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

The Message (MSG)

 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

We need to run hard…run for the eternal not the things that fade away…stay alert and in top condition…The cleansed life demands discipline…the when in the equation, when we run the race that is set before us the way God would have us run, we can live with and in that cleansed life…

          So…where do find that cleansing? I would like to read for you a story of cleansing…of Jesus’ healing touch. It is found in Mark chapter 1 verses 40-45. It is found on page 911 in the pew bible. Read along with me and hear the Good News…

(Read from Mark 1)

It was Jesus’ touch that healed this leper…It was the lepers faith and trust in Jesus that healed him…This man was told not to say anything to anyone…to go straight to the priest in the temple but this man could not keep quiet…this man needed to shout it from the roof tops…I have been healed by the touch of Jesus! I am no longer and outcast! I no longer ashamed! It was at the feet of Jesus I found healing and wholeness! Where do we find healing and wholeness…where are we cleansed? At the feet of Jesus…at the foot of the cross…in Holy Communion with Christ! Each time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper…Communion…we are healed by the compassion and love of Christ…

          It’s soul cleaning time. We are about to enter one of the most important times in the Christian life. We are about to enter the time of Lent…the time when Jesus completed His mission on earth…the time when we were made whole and cleansed by the foot of Calvary’s Cross. Last week, we talked about how life isn’t a bowl of cherries but we have hope…life is about coming up with those who are weak and being that healing balm for them…sharing the Good News with them. But we ourselves need to be made whole before we can help others who are broken. Beloved…are you in need of some soul cleaning…do you need to hear a word from God to be cleansed…is it time to “get back on track” and continue the race? My invitation to you and to me is this…come to the cross…come to Jesus’ feet and be healed. Then too we may be able to leap for joy and give the Lord a shout! We to can shout from the roof tops I have been healed by the touch of Jesus! I am no longer and outcast! I no longer ashamed! It was at the feet of Jesus I found healing and wholeness! Let us run with perseverance the race set before us…let us run as athletes for the prize…a prize not of this world but the next. Let us be the healing balm to the nations in Jesus’ name.

 

Amen!

 

 Bulletin for this Service:

*Centering Song:                “Spirit Song”                      #347 UMH *Call to Worship:

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up, and did not let my foes rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

 O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol, restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.

 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones, and give thanks to his holy name.

(Psalm 30:1-4 NRSV Bible)

*Hymn:         “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”      #340 UMH

*Unison Prayer:

We praise you with joy, loving God, for your grace is better than life itself. You have sustained us through the darkness, and you bless us with life in this new day. In the shadow of your wings we sing for joy and bless your holy name. Amen.

(Worship & Song ©2006 Upper Room Books)

Old Testament Reading:   2 Kings 5:1-14                      NRSV

                       “The Sharing Of Our Journey”

 Concerns /Joy’s and Celebrations Invitation to silent prayer followed by Pastoral Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer (UMH #895), and Choral Response.

Special Music                       Suncook UMC Sacred Dancers

Epistle Reading:      1 Corinthians 9:24-27                     NRSV

Message for the Children

 “Thanking God”

Invitation for Tithes and Offerings

Special Music                                                                       Choir 

*Doxology                                                                #95 UMH

*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)

Gracious and forgiving God, we long to be the disciples who give you our very best: our strongest witness, our mightiest efforts, and our first and best fruits. When we fall short, still you take what we make available and do great things! Bless what we offer now, fill it with your power so that lives may be touched, the world transformed, and your power and love be praised by all! We pray it in the name of Jesus, the Christ! Amen.

(GBOD 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

 “Equipping the Saints”

Message Scripture:                        Mark 1:40-45                     Pew Bible pg 911

Message:                   Soul Cleaning Time!

*Hymn:                     “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”               #382 UMH

  “Sending forth in Jesus’ Name”

 *Benediction          

*Musical Response:            “Amen”                               

(refrain 3X)

“Life is just a bowl of cherries?”

January 5, 2012

Fifth Sunday of Epiphany

Scouting Sunday

Theme: Healing for suffering humanity

Isaiah 40:31

Job 7:1-7

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Mark 1:29-39

 

         You know I hate picking up the paper or watching the news these days. There is so much pain and suffering in the world. There are people who are dying of hunger…people who are persecuted and killed for their convictions…random killings…natural disasters…it just breaks my heart seeing so many who have lost hope…who are so defeated by life that they just can’t go on. They feel they have nowhere to turn to find help and peace. What has happened to humanity?

Even though I really have a hard time with hearing all of this, I know that by hearing about it…it helps me to know what is going on in the world and who or what needs my prayers. That’s part of what we do as Christians, we pray for others who are in need. It also helps me understand where there is a need for ministry…places where I can get involved. Pain and suffering has been around for a long time. But there is a way to help that suffering in the world…to ease the pain of others…and that gives me hope. Life I hard…God never promised that we would never suffer…He only promised that we will not go through it alone…He would be there with us in our suffering…

There are so many types of suffering as well. There is personal suffering as we heard in the scripture from Job this morning. Job knew suffering…he didn’t realize why he was suffering…he knew that he was righteous. But through all of his suffering he never cursed God. He knew that his strength was found in God. Job knew that he couldn’t let go of the one thing he had…his God. But there are so many out there that don’t have this hope in the world…they don’t have this anchor to hold on to in the rough times…in those times of pain and suffering in their lives. What a disaster it is for them…not to have hope for tomorrow…

There is pain and suffering that is caused by others. The pain of a loved one not being as “loving” as they should…the pain caused by others greed…the pain caused by others callousness…the pain can go deep but in the depths of that pain we can find the One who wishes us only good…the One who accepts us as we are…the one who has a great plan for our lives…the One waiting there to wipe away all our tears…our Rock and Fortress…our God and King. But we can help others in their misery and suffering. As Paul stated in the Corinthians scripture, we can come up next to others in their suffering…we can help them through their suffering…we can walk with them in their pain and help them find the One thing that can help them…the One thing they can hold fast to at all times. We can bring them to the foot of Calvary where they can find peace, love, joy and hope; even in their suffering…they don’t have to walk alone!

Jesus knew about the suffering of humanity. There are many stories in the bible about Jesus’ compassion. One story in the bible talks about how He felt…shows His compassion…gives us direction on what we can do. It is found in Mark 1 verses 29-39…read along to read first hand this account of His compassion. It is found on page…in the pew bible…

(Read Mark 1:29-39)

He felt their pain…He had compassion for humanity. He healed many and we too can help heal many. If we, as Christians, are to follow in Jesus’ footsteps we need to be involved in the lives of those who suffer…Jesus didn’t stay away…He dove right in to help.

        This morning we are celebrating Scouting Sunday…we are celebrating the courage and determination of these young and older peoples conviction to make a difference. I love the Scouts “One My Honor” pledge…they pledge to:

1.   Do my best to do my duty to God and my country.

 

2.   To obey the Scout Law—and the Law is this: A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

 

3.   to help other people at other times

 

4.   To keep myself mentally awake.

 

5.   To keep myself morally straight.

 

And a child shall lead them. Humanity can learn a lot from these children and their leaders and mentors.

Church…Beloved sons and daughters…life really isn’t a bowl of cherries…you know it, I know it, the world knows it too…but…we too need to be that healing balm in society…to be leaders in the world…leading humanity to the only One who can really heal make humanity whole…leading humanity to our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Let us all join in the game of follow the leader and follow the path of compassion and love our Savior leads. We talked about authority last week and how we have been given authority through God…how will you and I use that authority to bring healing and wholeness…? We need to get our heads in the game…we need to get off the bench and win one for our God and king. Are you ready to rumble?

 

AMEN

Go Light Your World

Sight Psalms

Seeing really is believing. We just have to look. Sight Psalms is the work of photographers who seek to express the divine through images. 2/7/2012 LIGHT   “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide  you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand.” (Matt. 5: 14b-15, The Message) Sight Psalms is a ministry of the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7a2yOoaIz0

Fisher of Men

“Jesus said, ‘Come, follow me, and I’ll show you how to fish for people.’” (Mark 1: 17 CEB) How will you follow today?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9RXHwYU2JY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8iC1HYIT9A&feature=related