Mothers: A Blessed Gift 05.08.2026

I don’t know how it happens, but every so often I call someone on my cell phone without meaning to.  That kind of happening is often referred to as a butt dial.  I often carry my cell phone in my back pants pocket when I’m walking somewhere, and somehow buttons get pushed and the call is made.  Now the funny thing is, 90 percent of the time when I make one of these accidental phone calls, it goes to my daughter.  It has happened so regularly that Melissa has learned to ignore the calls that come from “DAD” and just wait a little bit because I usually send a text to her that says, “Sorry…Butt Dial.”  Sometimes a butt dial to her becomes an excuse to just connect for a bit, “How’s your day going?”  “How’s little Ollie doing today?”  We’ll send a couple messages back and forth and then get on with our day.  

Well, about a month or so ago, I heard the unintended ringing of my phone, which tells me I’m sending a butt dial call.  I pulled out my phone as fast as I could, pushed the STOP button, and looked at the screen to see who I was calling.  This time it wasn’t Melissa.  My butt dial was going to my mom!! 

I stood there for just a moment looking at my phone while processing this.  “How can this be…mom’s been gone for over a year,” I thought.  Oh yeah, I haven’t taken her out of my contacts yet.  In fact, I’ve intentionally left her name in my phone as a reminder of her presence in my life.  Then I had the thought…wouldn’t I be surprised if she actually answered!  

Well, the phone rang several times, and then I heard the recorded message, “The number you have dialed is no longer in service.”  Yes, it’s true, that number is no longer in service, but the life, the presence that number represented is still very much in service.  I found myself thinking, “If mom were able to answer, what would I tell her?  What would I ask her?”  It is amazing how life keeps moving along, even in the midst of the reality of loss and death.

Today as we approach Mother’s Day, I’m reminded of the exercise that I often do as a part of Celebration of Life services. I invite the congregation to cup their hands and envision their memories of the person being remembered as something that can be held in one’s hands.  First, I invite people to remember any painful or hurtful memories and to acknowledge them.  Then I tell the people to open their hands, spread their fingers and allow those hurtful memories to slip between their fingers and then be forgotten in the sands of time.  Then I invite the people gathered to make that little bowl with their hands one more time, and this time to envision all the happy, pleasant, good memories that they have with the person being honored, and to hold those memories in one’s hands and acknowledge them.  And this time I invite those gathered to wrap their fingers around those memories and hang on to them…because they are a treasure that no one can take from you.   

As we approach Mother’s Day this year, I recognize that for some of you, like me, your mom is no longer with you in this world.  For others your mother is still alive and present in your life.  For others, your mom might be present in this world but distant from you.  I recognize that relationships with moms/parents can be complicated.  If your mom has died, take a few moments to think of the good and pleasant memories you have of her.  Keep holding on to those.  For others, if your mom is alive, I encourage you to do something to make a memory with her…a good memory to hang on to because the day is coming when… “that number is no longer in service,” meaning she is no longer with you in this world.   

I still smile as I think about butt dialing mom.  Yes, I’m leaving her name and number in my contacts so that maybe I can call her by accident again someday, which will then bring another smile to my face as I remember.  You know, some numbers may no longer be in service in our life but love never really stops calling us back to remember.  This weekend, make some pleasant memories with someone you love.  If it’s with your mom, that’s frosting on the cake!

Pastor Keith

Speak Lord...05.01.2026

I like reading!  I like books!  Just ask Nancy, she’ll verify both those statements. 😊  The only problem is that I am a slow reader.  Nancy can read a 300-page book in just a day or two.  Me…it would take me a week or two to get through the same book.  

About two years ago I was introduced to an app for my cell phone that has been a real gamechanger for me.  One of the staff members at the Mitchell Public Library told me about the Libby app for my cell phone that allows me to download and listen to audio books. I’ve actually listened to audio books or books on CD for many years, but that required me to purchase books, and they can get rather spendy.  So, I purchased books rather sparingly.  However, with the Libby app, as long as I have a valid Mitchell Library Card, I can download books for free.  So far in 2026 I’ve listened to 17 books.  In the past year I’ve listened to 58 books.  When I’m walking the dog, driving to and from work, or Sioux Falls, etc., I’m usually listening to a book.

Now this is usually great…except something I’ve noticed is that it is hard to hear Nancy speaking when I am listening to a book.  You see, sometimes in the morning when I’m getting ready for the day, I’ll have my current book playing.  And the thing is, Nancy can’t hear it because the app is able to connect directly with my hearing aids, so I just listen through them.  How convenient is that?!  Well, it is very convenient, but also not helpful in communicating with my spouse. I realize it is frustrating for her…and also frustrating for me when I am unable to hear what she is trying to say to me.  So, I’ve decided that as long as Nancy and I are home or together, I will not listen to a book.  Otherwise, I am too distracted to hear what she is saying.

Well, that got me thinking about my connection with God.  How often do I wonder why I’m not hearing anything from God?  Is it God’s not speaking…or am I too distracted, too focused on listening to something else so that I don’t have the capacity to hear or receive anything from God!  Ouch, being honest about my answer hurts a little bit because the truth is I tend to fill my days with busyness and noise, thus not having the capacity to hear what God might be trying to say to me.  Or another truth that sometimes keeps me from hearing what God is speaking to me is that of the inner messages that play over and over in my mind.  

You know, we all have some sort of track or tape with a certain message.  It might say something like, “I’m not good enough.” Or “I’m unlovable.” Or “I’m not very smart.” Or “I’m not very good looking.” Or “I weigh too much.” Or “I’m not popular enough.” Or “God could never forgive me.” Or “God could never use me.” It’s those kinds of negative messages that often seem to be stuck on “repeat” in our mind.  But that isn’t the message that Jesus brings to each of us or wants us to hear.  But again, when that is the track playing it’s hard to hear anything else.  

I’m reminded of the story from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel.  Samuel as a child was dedicated to serve God in the temple but Samuel didn’t know God’s voice.  One night God spoke to Samuel, but Samuel just thought it was Eli the priest calling for him. After Samuel went to Eli and asked what he wanted, Eli realized it was God calling Samuel.  Eli gave Samuel the instructions, “Next time you hear the voice calling you say, ‘Speak Lord, your servant is listening.’” 1 Samuel 3:1-10  

Those are good words of wisdom for all of us who are following Jesus in this “noise filled” culture we live in.  That is my prayer for myself today, and for days to come.  Maybe you can join me in speaking these words too. “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

Pastor Keith

April Showers...04.24.2026

“April Showers Bring…May Flowers.”  This is a common sentiment spoken this time of year…in April, and it reveals an important truth we understand in our agricultural region. You see, an essential part of the growth process, in plant life, is that of nurturing or watering because planting a seed isn’t enough.  That seed must be watered or nurtured before it will produce it’s “fruit.”

As true as this statement is for our gardens, fields, and such, it is also true in the spiritual realm in life.  Nurturing or watering the seeds of faith is essential for “fruit” to be produced in our lives.  In fact, the apostle Paul briefly touches on this truth in 1 Corinthians, a letter to the church, or Jesus followers, in Corinth.  This was a church that Paul started, so it is a very young church, yet it is already dealing with divisions.  

You see, Paul wasn’t the only person traveling around sharing the Good News of Jesus. There were other traveling evangelists and one of them was named Apollos.  And it appears that Apollos at some point was in Corinth and made an impact.  So, a division in the church came down to who was the better traveling teacher, preacher, and church planter…Paul or Apollos.  Some said Paul and others said Apollos.  

Paul wades into this mess saying that it isn’t about who was the most prominent or important person in starting the local church, rather God is the one who gets the glory.  Paul clarifies things by saying, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:6  In other words, he is saying planting is important, and watering or nurturing is important.  But the point of it all is for growth to happen and God’s Spirit is what provides the growth.  

So, the question I’d like to ask is this…Who are you nurturing in the faith?  Who are you pouring the love of God into so that they are being “watered” and grow in their faith toward God?  To make it more personal, a second question to consider is this, what seeds are you nurturing in your own life or what seeds are you allowing to be watered in your faith?  

Spiritual growth doesn’t just happen.  It is nurtured, watered, fed, etc. because that is how the “fruit” of God’s love is produced in our lives.  It takes seeds being planted, those seeds being nurtured, and then allowing God’s Spirit to make the fruit evident in our lives.  With God at work in our lives it isn’t just April showers we seek, it is nurturing the seeds of faith all year long. Through it all, what we can know is this…God is growing something beautiful within each of us.  

Pastor Keith

Check My Attitude 04.10.2026

As many of you know, I have my private pilot’s license. Now, I’m not current and haven’t flown in about 20years, but I still have my pilot’s license. I also owned my own airplane for a couple of years. It was the coolest thing to go flying. I have some great memories of being in my airplane and soaring through the sky.

Even though I’m no longer active in aviation, I actually still have two pieces of my airplane that are in my office at the church. What I still have are two instruments from the panel that failed, or broke, during one of my flights. The two instruments are the directional gyro (or basically a compass) and the attitude indicator or artificial horizon. I kept those two instruments because they were a reminder of my airplane and my flying days. But I also hang on to them because they serve as a good reminder of two questions I try to ask myself in my ministry from time to time. Those questions are, “What direction am I moving in?” And the follow up questions is, “Is that the direction I want to be going?” The other question I try to ask myself occasionally, that relates to the other instrument, is “What is my attitude?”

In an airplane, the term “attitude” speaks to the position of the nose of the airplane in relation to the horizon. If the nose of the airplane is always high or above the horizon, there will eventually be problems. If the nose of the airplane is always low or below the horizon, again, there will eventually be problems. Or if the nose of the airplane is not aiming toward the destination you wish to arrive at, there will be problems. So, the proper attitude of the airplane is very important for a successful flight.

Recently I was reminded of a saying that I first heard a couple years ago that I found to be very powerful. I was watching a video clip on Facebook of a contestant on America’s Got Talent. The person auditioning was a singer who went by the name of “Nightbird.” During the judge’s talking with Nightbird before her audition, she revealed that she was dealing with cancer and it was serious, but it was her dream to audition, so there she was, positive, upbeat, confident, seemingly not overwhelmed by a life-threatening disease.

One of the judges commented on the difficulties she was dealing with in life and yet how her glowing countenance and positive spirit so clearly shone through. What Nightbird said next grabbed my attention and has become a truth I remind myself of regularly. She said, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard any more to decide you’re going to be happy.” OK, stop…go back and reread that last sentence, but this time read it slowly and let the words sink in.

I don’t know about you, but that statement is so powerful and full of so much wisdom. Happiness is not about circumstance; happiness is really a choice that we make. It is a decision about our attitude and the direction we choose to take in life. I have seen people who live in luxury and have all the appearances of success…and yet they are miserable. And I have seen people who live in poverty, who have nothing, and are absolutely joy- filled in life. Happiness isn’t about circumstance. Happiness is a decision!

Unfortunately, within a year of her America’s Got Talent audition, Nightbird died due to the aggressive cancer within her. Cancer ended her physical life, but it didn’t touch her spirit or decide her outcome in life. And the work that Nightbird started through a foundation, her music, and videos continues. Life was hard for her in so many ways…but she still chose happiness!

I don’t know what each of you reading this reflection is dealing with in life. I’m not suggesting you disregard the struggles or difficulties you are facing in life or pretend they don’t exist. Not at all. But I do believe attitude is everything. So, take a quick peek at the attitude indicator in your life. What is your attitude? What is your direction? Is it taking you in the direction you want your life to go? Today, remember that Jesus is always with you and offers to help carry the burden we each carry. That is also what a church family is for.And remember the words that Nightbird spoke, “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard any more to decide you’re going to be happy.” Part of the joy and happiness that we can experience as followers of Jesus is knowing that Jesus is with us…always!

Pastor Keith

New Life in Christ 04.03.2026

Yesterday morning (if you are reading this on Friday) something unique happened at the church that I don’t believe has ever happened before in all my years of ministry. I had gotten to the church earlier than usual todo the final setup for the Maundy Thursday experience we were offering. I was running around getting things set when I heard a banging on the alley door. We usually keep that door locked, so I went to the door to see what was going on. It was someone from one of the local flower shops saying they had a delivery for our church. I thought that was odd and wondered who would be sending flowers to the church…it was too early for Easter Lilies to be delivered, and this wasn’t who we had ordered lilies from anyway.

As the person set the stand for a wreath in the church, I must have had a very confused look on my face. They said, “This is for the ‘so-and-so’ service today.” Well, that didn’t help my confused look. I said, “For who?” The delivery person repeated the name, “For so-and-so.” I finally said, “I have no idea who that is.” The person looked at their delivery notes and replied, “This is the Methodist Church, right?” I indicated that indeed we were the United Methodist Church but that we didn’t have any service scheduled at our facility.

The delivery person looked really confused and said, “You don’t have a funeral here this morning?” I said, “No, I’m afraid not. Or at least not that I’m aware of.” Well, the driver said they would go back to the store and try to get this figured out. I wished them well and hoped they’d find the right church.

Since it is Holy Week and the day before Good Friday, when we remember Jesus being crucified, it got me thinking about faith, death and funerals. Suddenly a verse from the Bible popped into my mind. Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Years ago, this was my favorite verse. (Someday I’ll tell you a funny story about this verse and my wedding day!)

As I reflected on that verse the thought came to me that maybe everyday – every morning there should be a funeral at our church. That service would be a daily recognition of the reality of what Galatians 2:20 is saying. You see, as a Christian, I have made a commitment to be a follower of Jesus and so have you if you claim to be a Christ follower. In Galatians 2:20 Paul is sharing with the church, or Christians in Galatia, that when one is a follower of Jesus the individual dies to “self” and lives as a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) in Christ. What was true in Paul’s day is true for us yet today… The old self has died with Christ on the cross… and the resurrected Christ lives within each of us now…each and every day!!

Maybe there should be a funeral every morning at our church facility to remind us all that our old self has died. You know, that old nature that tended to be more self-centered or that pulled you/me away from God. That part of us is gone. But we are not just an empty shell wandering around this earth. No, what empowers us now is the resurrected Christ who lives within each of us. That is the spirit of love that helps each of us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. It is that energy in our life that helps us to be more Christ-centered, seeking to make the world a better place and to live out God’s Kingdom together. Yes, that is a reminder I need in my life every morning!

This mistaken delivery was a good reminder that it isn’t the craziness of this world that empowers me. It isn’t a leader from some particular party that gives me hope. It is the living presence of Christ that now lives within me. There’s no need to send flowers to this daily morning “funeral” at our church because this celebration of new life can take place wherever we are. Let’s just give thanks each morning that our oldself is gone and that Christ, the resurrected Christ, now resides within us.

Yes, on this Good Friday we are reminded that death is real. But in Christ…the RESURRECTED and LIVING Christ, death is never the end of the story…new life is possible! That is Good News for ALL!!

Pastor Keith

Hosanna! 03.27.2026

Have you ever been in a crowd where something big was happening?  No one was quite sure what it meant or what was going on but there was a definite energy in the air. People are excited. Curious. Maybe even a little on edge. You can feel it, even if you can’t fully explain it. That’s the scene as Jesus enters Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday.

Matthew tells us in Matthew 21:10 that the whole city was “stirred.” Not just the crowd lining the street as Jesus passes by, but the entire city. And that word “stirred” carries the sense of being shaken, unsettled… almost like something beneath the surface is shifting.

What’s interesting is that at the very beginning of Matthew’s Gospel, when Jesus was born (Matthew 2:3), we’re told that all of Jerusalem was “disturbed.” Different moment, same city, but a similar reaction. Not just a few people but the city was reacting, responding to a moment in time.  It seems that when Jesus shows up, things don’t stay calm for long.

On that first Palm Sunday, the people were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” It’s a beautiful, powerful, and some would even say a rather intense moment. You can almost hear the voices and see the palm branches waving. But underneath the celebration, there’s also uncertainty.

What kind of king is this?
What kind of salvation is he bringing?
What will this mean for us?

Because here’s the thing, Jesus doesn’t enter the city the way people expect. He doesn’t come with power, force, or bravado. He comes in humility, compassion, riding on a donkey, moving steadily toward…not the palace…but the cross.  And that kind of arrival doesn’t just inspire praise, it stirs people up.  It did then on that first Palm Sunday and it still does yet today.

It’s not hard for us to join in with the crowd and say “Hosanna.” We sing the songs. We watch the children walk in together as parents take a picture or two of them.  We remember the story. We wave the palm branches clutched in our hands.  It is a beautiful moment! But the truth is Palm Sunday invites us, even encourages us to go a step further…to go a little deeper.

What happens when Jesus doesn’t just pass by but actually enters into our lives?  What happens when His presence begins to unsettle us a bit…nudging at our assumptions, our priorities, even our sense of control?  Suddenly this isn’t just a fun story…it becomes more personal…even a bit edgy and uncomfortable.

You see, part of the Palm Sunday or Holy Week story is that the same crowd that shouted “Hosanna” would, just days later, shout something very different… “Crucify Him!” Not because they stopped wanting salvation, but because Jesus didn’t bring it in the way they expected.  This raises the question…does Jesus bring to our world the salvation people/we want or expect?

This Sunday, as we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, maybe the invitation is this: Don’t just celebrate His passing by, pay attention to what He’s stirring within.  Where is He inviting you to trust Him more deeply?  Where might He be challenging what you expected Him to do?  Where is Jesus “messing” with your assumptions about the King you are seeking?

Jesus still comes to us, full of grace, full of purpose, and yes, sometimes stirring things up more than we anticipate. This is the message of Palm Sunday!  So, join us for worship this Sunday, in person or tuning us in through technology.  Watch the children…sing the songs… hear the story…wave the palm branch…speak the words “Hosanna! Lord, save us.”

And maybe this time let’s also say, “Lord… stir us too.”

Pastor Keith

Spiritual Garden 03.20.2026

As you are reading this message, it has likely happened!!  There’s been a change in seasons. Spring has officially arrived.  Certainly, the way the outdoor temperatures are going to be today on Friday March 20, 2026, here in Mitchell, it is certainly going to feel like spring.  I think I heard we could be near record setting temperatures today.  Anyway, today at 10:46 a.m. spring officially begins.

Now spring is usually thought of as a season of warmer temperatures and also of new life.  Soon lawns will be greening up, trees and bushes will start budding, certain flowers will start popping up.  And gardeners will begin planning in earnest for their yard and garden work.  In fact, just a couple weeks ago Nancy and I signed up for several garden plots in the community garden.  If any of you are thinking about getting a garden plot in the community garden, it probably isn’t too late, get in touch with the folks at the City Parks and Recreation Department.  

Anyway, Nancy and I have started talking about what we are going to plant in our garden, carrots, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.  And soon, we’ll be drawing up the plan for the layout of the garden, what we are going to plant where.  We do this each year at the beginning of spring.

So, changing track just a little bit…but maybe not all that much, Easter is a season of celebrating new life – Jesus coming forth from the tomb making new life possible for all who believe and follow Jesus.  So, since spring is the season of new life, here’s the question I want to ask today… what are you planning on growing in the garden of your spirit?  More plainly stated, how are you planning on growing spiritually in this season?  Then the corresponding question is where are you going to plant these seeds?  What is going to be the map of your spiritual garden?  

What I’m getting at with this is…what is your plan?  How are you intentionally going to foster spiritual growth in your life, especially in this season of Easter…this season of new life?  If Nancy and I simply left our garden plot to pure chance, nothing would grow other than weeds. Oh, maybe there would be a volunteer tomato plant or bean plant, but the plot would mostly be weeds. I believe the same is true for each of us spiritually or as followers of Jesus.  If we don’t have a plan…if we aren’t intentional…if we just leave it to chance, the main thing that will grow in our spirit is likely to be weeds.  And of course, weeds in our souls are those things that become obstacles to following Jesus or living out God’s Kingdom to our fullest.  

John Wesley believed in being intentional about the seeds to plant in one’s life.  This is why he developed small groups.  It is also why he emphasized spiritual disciplines and encouraged the small groups and individuals to participate fully in practicing the spiritual disciplines and making them a regular part of one’s life.  Those actions become patterns, those patterns become behaviors, those behaviors become habits, and habits become qualities and characteristics that truly mark and are reflected in the life of a follower of Jesus.

My spiritual director will often ask me, “Keith, how are you praying about this situation?”  Or, “Keith, how are you reflecting on this scripture?”  In other words, she is asking, what am I intentionally doing in the garden of my soul.  Friends, this is a great question to consider today and in this season of spring.  What are we going to plant in the garden of our soul?”  Let’s not just allow the weeds to take over.  Let’s plant good seeds.  Let’s nurture those seeds and watch as the fruit (the Fruit of the Spirit) come forth.  Want to know more about the fruit of the spirit?  Check out Galatians 5:22-23.

Pastor Keith

Pastor's Reflection 03.13.2026

I can remember it so very well.  I can remember the props I used.  I can remember the theme of it.  I remember how excited I was.  I can definitely remember how nervous I was.  This is another one of those “first” moments in life (and in my ministry) that occurred at Underwood United Methodist Church – the little country church I grew up attending north of White Lake.  This “first” moment that I am thinking of was the very first Children’s Message that I gave.  I’m not sure how old I was, probably a junior or senior in high school, but as I said, I remember the theme, I remember the props, but what I really remember…was hyperventilating so bad by the end of it that I couldn’t breath and I had to squeak out “amen” to bring it to a close and get back to my seat.  

Yes, that wasn’t my finest moment in ministry, and yet it was such a very important one.  At that time in my life I wasn’t aware of or sensing God’s call to ministry on my life, and yet I look to that moment as being an important one that helped shape me for what I do today and how I interact with “kids” during the children’s time yet today.  (On a side note, I also remember the very first sermon I preached.  I believe I was in college on this occasion. I preached that message at White Lake and Underwood (Yep, my first two-point charge) Someday I need to go apologize to the White Lake church for what they had to endure with that “first.”)

No matter what your profession is/was or how you focused your time and energy during your adult years, I wonder if you can remember the “first” in your life that helped influence and shape you for what it was that would later be such a prominent part of your life.  I’ve heard a number of those stories over the years of my working with people.  It is always interesting to hear of those moments that helped guide a person in their life.  

What got me thinking about this is that just a few weeks ago our church had “Youth Sunday.”  I wasn’t here for that Sunday but I watched and worshiped with the youth just recently.  I’m proud of the youth for being willing to lead worship, to lead singing, do the Children’s Time, read scripture, take the offering, lead the prayer time, and even give the message.  It is not always easy to lead in these ways in public.  Yet our youth did, and they did it well.  I don’t think any of them hyperventilated, like I did so many years ago.

I remember how much encouragement I received after my first children’s message and my first sermon.  It was also that encouragement that helped me hear that still small voice of God whispering in my ear…calling me to serve God through the ordained ministry.  I believe God is also whispering in the ear, of not just some of our youth…but all of them to serve God, not necessarily through the ordained ministry, but in some way in their life, to serve God with their gifts, talents, abilities, and energy. 

I hope each of us take the time to thank and encourage our youth when they lead worship or participate in the ministries of the church.  You see, the youth are not the future of the church, as is often said, they are a part of the church today…right now…right here!!  

Pastor Keith

Connection with God 03.06.2026

In his 2009 book entitled, “The Practice of Adaptive Leadership” Ronald Heifetz uses a simple diagram and the phrase, “The world as it is & The world as it should be” to demonstrate that there are two different realities in the world.  There’s the world as it is, or the way we experience it now.  There is also the world as it should be, or the way we believe it could be and should be, but the world isn’t there yet.  The goal of Adaptive Leadership is to find beneficial and realistic ways to narrow the gap or bring these two different realities closer together; the world as it is and the world as it should be.  

You know, in a sense that is what Lent is all about, but not on a global sense “the world,” but more on a personal sense, “my life or my connection with God.”  You see, I think we can all agree, there is my “Faith connection with God as it is” and There is my “Faith connection with God as it should be.” These are two different realities.  The goal of the church season of Lent is to help us utilize spiritual practices and disciplines to narrow the gap between how our connection with God really is and how it could/should be.  

I am a bit hesitant to use the word “should” in this phrase in connection with our spirituality.  Often, we human beings have the habit of beating ourselves up pretty good in different areas of our life because we know we “should” be or do something better, but we don’t. Thus, we tend to berate ourselves and that can lead to unhealthy thoughts, messages, and even actions. I, personally, also don’t believe that God wants us to be so negative with ourselves.  I believe God wants us to see and yearn for the possibilities of what a closer connection or walk with God would bring to our lives.  

So, a simple activity I would like to invite each of us to do is to take a regular sized piece of paper and in the bottom third draw box and in the box write the heading – My Connection with God as it is.   Then I would invite you to take some time to be still, pray, and then begin to write words and phrases in that box that describes your connection with God.  

Then with that same piece of paper, draw another box in the top third of the paper with the heading in the box – My Connection with God as it Could be. Again, take some time to reflect, be receptive, and pray, listening for the things that you and God might come up with as words and phrases to describe how God desires your faith connection to be…but it isn’t there yet.  Take a moment to look at these two boxes that define your faith connection to God – As it currently is….and As it Could be.  Notice the differences and the growth potential.

In the middle third of the page, draw another box.  This time write the heading – Steps to Close the Gap.  Simple write down 2-4 things that you can focus on for the rest of this season of Lent to close the gap, to strengthen your connection to God.  That’s what the focus and the disciplines of Lent and our faith are really all about – closing the gap so that each of us strengthen the connection we have.  Will we ever fully close the gap in our connection with God?  Personally, I don’t believe we can on this side of death.  But in the fullness of God’s Kingdom, I trust there will be a new sense of connection with God that will truly take our breath away…or that truly fills us with the breath of God!  

So, today and during this season of Lent, take some time, a sheet of paper, and a pen (you can even use a computer if you’d prefer) and allow three boxes to guide your steps in closing the gap with God.  If you do this and intentionally keep following this exercise, you’ll notice a difference in the strength of your faith by the time you get to Lent next year. As the recording announces in London when using their subway system, “Mind the Gap!”  Good words for us to remember in our faith journey… “Mind the Gap!!

Pastor Keith

Intentional Faith 02.27.2026

I can still remember the sensation, having just finished a play in which I had a major role.  I was in high school at the time and I was Frank Butler in the musical “Annie Get Your Gun.”  It was the night of the first performance.  The last line was delivered, and the final note was sung.  All of us actors in the production were moving to the front of the stage and taking a bow.  Along with the bow there was applause and people cheering.  That was kind of nice!  It felt great to be receiving that kind of recognition.  The next night I enjoyed the applause even more. 

I can also remember how it felt to do something great in sports.  In my unspectacular basketball career, there was one time at the end of a game that we were behind by one point.  Our best shooter put up what could have been the winning shot.  It bounced off the rim of the basket and right into my hands.  There were a couple seconds remaining on the clock.  I threw the ball up toward the basket…and it went in.  We won the game!!  The crowd stood cheering.  My teammates slapped me on the back.  Even the coach gave me a good word.  Yes, in those kinds of moments, and in so many others, the cheering, the adulation, the applause really feels good.  In fact, sometimes people actually crave it and seek after it throughout their lives.

Well, what is true for the theater and the sports arena can also be true in other areas of our lives, even in the area of spirituality.  Jesus is very intentional about stating this.  Remember the story of Jesus sitting in the temple complex and he sees a widow put two small coins into the “trumpets,” which were the metal tubes people put their offering in.  The wealthy were known to bring lots of coins to drop in those metal tubes, because it made a lot of noise.  They often did it for the recognition, applause, and attention the noise was making.  But the widow’s offering barely made a sound.  Jesus pointed out the value of her gift because she was giving her all and she wasn’t doing it for the attention.  

In the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7, Jesus addresses this issue of practicing one’s faith to get attention or recognition…and Lent is a great time to remember this teaching.  In Matthew 6:1-18, Jesus identified three spiritual practices that are often associated with Lent, 1. Giving to the poor, 2. Prayer, and 3. Fasting.  In Jesus comments on each of these practices, Jesus tells his followers that these are great practices, but they are not to be done for public attention.  Give without making your giving known, pray in private and not using big words that might sound impressive to others.  And when fasting, don’t try to draw the attention of others or seek sympathy for denying yourself, but instead these practices are to be done in secret because they are about strengthening one’s connection with God.  

One of the temptations for pastors is to slip into the mode of performing (leading worship) or seeking applause (preaching). But the truth is, we can all slip into this “performance” mode in the practicing or living out our faith.  Yes, all of our spiritual practices are to be intentional but they are not to be performances in which we seek the applause or attention of those around us.  Our spirituality is to be lived out in a way that helps us connect with God, which then helps us love God, love Neighbor, and also loving Ourselves.  

May we each be intentional in our faith journey during this season of Lent.  But may our faith never simply be a performance seeking the attention of others.  What a great reminder from Jesus for me, this Lent…and maybe for all of us too.  

Pastor Keith