Pastor's Reflection September 09, 2022

Downtown Mitchell First UMC

310 North Rowley, Mitchell, SD 57301

Rev. Keith Nelson, Lead Pastor

keith@downtownfirstumc.com

It’s that season, once again, when little “friends” start showing up at our church facility. No, I’m not speaking of the little children coming to get registered for Sunday School. I’m actually referring to the bats that always make an appearance for a few weeks, this time of year. Generally speaking, these are really harmless creatures. They are likely more afraid of us than we are of them. But, yes, I will admit they are rather startling to see them flying at you when walking down the hallway at the church. So, the question always comes, this time of year, where or how are the bats getting in? That is a great question!

My neighbor happens to be the individual in town who is lovingly referred to as “Bat Man,” since a big part of his business, especially this time of year, has to do with bat issues. In fact, he helped with the bat problem in our church a number of years ago, when the problem was discovered. Anyway, “Bat Man” was telling me (and Dan, our facility manager, has said the same thing) bats can crawl through incredibly tiny holes, cracks or openings. This is one reason why, in the late summer and fall season especially, we ask people not to prop the outside doors of our church open, because that is like a superhighway for the bats saying, Come On In!! This is part of the reason why the Trustees are looking into the tuckpointing project for our church. When we had work done this past spring on our stained-glass windows on the west and south sides of our facility, the workers identified a number of places where the mortar between the block on the outside of our building, or around the windows, was either cracked or missing. If you can stick a pencil or a pen in a crack, it is likely that a bat is able to crawl through the opening. Such a small opening can allow unwanted guests into our facility.

What is true with bats and our building is also true in other areas of life as well. Small openings can allow unwanted guests into our lives. This is also true in our personal and spiritual lives. I’ll say it again, small openings can allow unwanted guests into our very being. Social media and personal computers and such devices can be a positive tool in life…but it can also allow a small crack or opening into what affects or influences us. Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms have what they call reels. I enjoy watching the ones of airplane take offs and landings. But there are other reels that are pretty suggestive with their content. There are even websites on the internet that aren’t merely suggestive. They let you see anything and everything, sexually speaking. This is just one example for one area of our lives.

The question becomes, where are the cracks in our lives that allow the unwanted guest into our lives. Is it the temptation of an addiction? It is certain people that you might hang around that have a more negative influence on your life? Is it reading or listening to something that fills you with doubt or despair? Is it the device many of us carry everywhere? The cracks aren’t necessarily the big things that cause us to stumble. The cracks are the small entry points that seem innocent enough…but they allow the unexpected guest of ugliness, darkness, disconnect, and sin into our lives.

Just as we need someone like “Bat Man” looking at our building and helping us identify the cracks allowing bats in, we also need trusted friends in our lives who can point out the cracks that allow the unwanted guests to make it into our hearts, lives, and very beings. Ask God to help point out the cracks in your life. Build a trusting relationship with a friend, and then ask them to help you examine your life, cracks and all. You’ll be glad you did. The bats, or unwanted guests…not so much. But you’ll be a stronger and healthier person for it.

Together In Ministry,

Pastor Keith

The Lens We See Through 9.2.22

Recently, I had the oil changed in my pickup.  A part of the oil change routine was that one of the service technicians washed the windows on my truck.  I happened to glance up and see the individual doing this and thought to myself, “Oh, that’s nice…but they weren’t that dirty.”  Shortly after that I paid my bill and headed out into the day.   As I drove away from the business I began to sense that something was different…there weren’t so many spots that I was looking through on the windshield. I could actually see things a bit more clearly.  Wow, it just made things seem a little brighter. 

Now understand, the windshield wasn’t mud covered, like you see on some pickups around town.  However, I will admit there were a lot of bug splatters and the usual acquired grime on the windshield that builds up over time.  All of that was simply adding a “layer” to what I was looking through as I drove my truck. Yet all that grime altered my perspective slightly as I looked out the window.  I began to realize that the “crud” on my windshield had simply become “normal” to my perspective.  I just got used to it always being there. 

We all have a lens through which we see the world.  You might be thinking…”But Keith, I don’t wear glasses.  So, I don’t see through a lens.”  Well, that may be true (concerning glasses), yet I still believe that whether or not we wear corrective lenses, we all see through a “lens” of one type or another.  We see through the lens of our experiences.  We see through the lens of beliefs and traditions.  We see through the lens of our education.  We see through the lens of our relationships.  We see through the lens of what we value and what is important to us.  We see through the lens of our economic or financial status.  We see through the lens of what “makes sense” to us.  I could go on and on, but I’m guessing you get the point I’m making.  We all have a lens…in fact, we each likely have multiple lenses.

Jesus, through his teaching, stories, attitudes, and actions, was really good at holding up a mirror to help people see the lenses they were seeing through.  Sometimes this made people feel uncomfortable, sometimes it made them angry and even in some circumstances it caused people to feel joy or relief because they realized that Jesus didn’t see them the way they saw themselves.  Part of what makes Jesus and our Christian Faith unique and special, is that it provides a different lens to see through rather than the lens our culture or world tends to offer. 

So, for just a moment today I want us all to consider a question, “What is the lens you see through?”  And please understand that some lenses are good, important, and necessary.  I’d be in big trouble without my eyeglasses, and my Christian Faith, helping me see more clearly!!  A helpful step in our faith journey just might be identifying and making a list  of the lenses that we see through?  Do any of those lenses need cleaning?  Do any of the lenses cause me to see people or things in a way contrary to how Jesus seems them?  Do any of my lenses need to be replaced?  Do any need to be adjusted or even strengthened?  These are good questions to ask ourselves as we all seek to see more clearly the world, our God, and the people who are around us.

I’m about to head to the eye doctor today.  What will he say about my lenses?  Just as this regular appointment is important for my eye sight, a regular appointment with God asking about the other lenses we see through, might be an important part of our spiritual growth and our connection to God.

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

What Does This Mean? 8.26.22

Do you have any, “What does this mean?” moments in your life?  We all probably need to have these kinds of moments, I believe.  It would do us good!   This question comes out of my reading in the Old Testament.  Currently I’m reading through the book of Exodus and I’m in the midst of the story of the Hebrew people leaving Egypt.  Something I read this morning really stuck with me. 

Moses is explaining the rituals and the practices that the people need to follow, even in – especially in the future.  Then, when a child asks, “What does this mean?” the opportunity is given for another person to explain the story of the great thing God did in the midst of the Hebrew people. 

Over the years of my ministry, I’ve had a number of friends who have been faithfully following the path of recovery.  One individual always proudly showed me his most recent chip.  If I remember right, he was up to like 25 years.  He would carry that chip in his pocket, and whenever the opportunity presented itself that someone saw that medallion he was carrying and they’d ask him about it, that became an opportunity for him to talk about what God and AA had done in his life.  He’d share how the battle wasn’t over and that it was a daily thing, but with the power of faith and accountability, he was still walking the good walk of sobriety. 

Why do couples celebrate their wedding anniversary or a dating anniversary?  Because it’s an opportunity to remember the day they first really connected or made a vow to each other.  It’s a time of celebrating the past year, and in a sense to recommit themselves to each other for the year to come.  One of the things that I do with a couple just days before I officiate their wedding ceremony, is that I have them write a letter to each other.  In the letter they are to share their love, their hopes and dreams, as well as what brought them to this moment of committing themselves to journey onward in life as a married couple.  I then have them seal those letters in an envelope, and then we send them those letters in a year, so they have them at their first anniversary.  I then encourage them to keep those letters and read them every year as a reminder of their wedding day and their thoughts and feelings in that moment. 

Yesterday I participated in the inauguration of Dr. Daniel Kittle as the new president of Dakota Wesleyan University.  Yes, there was a lot of pageantry and symbolism about the day and the ceremony.  There were also a lot of pictures being taken.  All of it was done to help create the moment and the memory, that in future days Dr. Kittle, and the leadership of DWU, can look back on that event and remember the hope, the commitment, the covenant, and even the dreams that were held in that moment.  But also, when some individual sees one of these pictures, they will ask the question, “What does this mean?” and it is likely someone close by will be able to explain the importance of what was happening in that picture. 

So, what is your, “What does this mean?” moment?  Maybe we should celebrate the anniversary of a person committing their life to be a Jesus follower.  Part of our task as a faith family is to help people celebrate and remember the important moments that define our faith.  Maybe we need to create more moments in which people will ask, “What does this mean?” It is through the telling of these simple, yet powerful stories, that we share our faith and let others know what God has done and is doing in our lives yet today.  Think about it today…what is your story?  And what does this mean?  Yes, God is still in the life transformation business…one day at a time!!

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Individual Learning Plan 8.19.22

Wednesday morning, I was doing my usual morning walk with Sophie, our Golden Retriever.  It was a beautiful morning.  It wasn’t too hot, and it wasn’t too cool.  It was one of those “just right” kind of mornings.  The sun was shining…and so were the faces of children and parents that I saw along the course of our journey.  You see, Wednesday was the first day of school.  That meant that Sophie and I got to witness several “First day of School Pictures” that were being taken.  The parents, with camera or cell phone in hand, were proud and a bit grieving all at the same time.  The children, for the most part, were excited and happy, ready to start this new adventure.  Yes, there were a few highschoolers who I could tell were rolling their eyes and pasting on the obligatory smile to get the picture over with. 

Of course, along with the smiling faces of the children, there was usually a backpack involved, stuffed with school supplies, maybe a snack, and a lot of hopes and dreams about what this school year was going to be like.  I wish all these children well as they start into the new year.  And parents, be sure to have your children bring their backpack to church with them this Sunday, August 21, because Becky will be leading us in the blessing of the backpacks!! 

Now I realize not many of us adults carry backpacks with us into our day of work, running errands, and doing the adult things we adults do.  But some of us do carry briefcases, book bags, toolboxes, and other things that contain the items we need for the day.  So, the question I want to ask is this, “What are we carrying with us into this day or year that will help us learn and grow and help us develop into more mature human beings and more faithful followers of Jesus?” 

You see, children and youth go off to school, in most cases, with the expectation they are going to learn some things.  They probably wouldn’t be able to verbalize it, but the truth is, they won’t be the same on the last day of school as they are on the first day.  Last Day of School pictures show the physical changes, but they don’t really show the inner-being changes that also take place.  

So, as we see the children, youth, and others from our community going off to school, the question I want to ask is this, “What are you hoping to learn in the year to come? What are you going to do to keep growing and maturing as you make your way in life?  Please understand that as I write these questions, I also aim them right back at myself.  What if each of us took the opportunity to sit down with one of the many talented, gifted, and caring teachers in our congregation and asked them to help us write up an Individual Learning Plan for the 2022-2023 School year?

And of course, as we think about learning and growing, part of my hope would be that we include in our ILP an aspect of where we want to learn and grow in our spiritual and faith life.  Where might God be nudging each of us to learn and grow as followers of Jesus?  Jesus was continually pressing his followers to learn and grow and think in new ways, and I have no doubt he is still doing that today.

OK, class…take out a blank piece of paper and a pencil or pen and start writing out your own ILP for the year to come.  May we not be the same people next May that we are today.

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

The "GL" Scan 8.5.22

Some of you know that my first professional ministry work after graduating from seminary was that of being a hospital chaplain.  Specifically, I was an emergency room chaplain, and I loved the work.  I was able to care for people in very stressful times…and I was able to learn about the inner workings of the human body.  There were several nurses that were really good about showing me things as they were doing their work of cleaning wounds, etc.  I got to see a tendon in a finger as well as the lining that surrounds the human skull.  Ask me about that story…it’s an interesting one!!

I for one find it fascinating to learn about the inner workings of my body.   A number of years ago I was having hernia repair surgery when the anesthesia wore off and I actually came too.  I was able to look up into the metal operating room light reflector, which was acting like a mirror, and watch what they were doing in the surgery…inside of me!!  I thought that was sooo cool.  But then a nurse said, “Doctor!” and I was suddenly back in la la land. 

The medical profession has been working hard over the years to help us see what’s on the inside of our bodies and also to bring greater understanding of the connectedness on the inside.  I am grateful for the technology that is at our disposal.  Last November when I had my little amnesia episode, I experienced this technology up close and personal when they scanned my head to make sure everything was OK.  They said it was…relatively speaking. J

As great as our technology is, there’s another scan that is even more incredible and more accurate than anything modern technology has developed.  I call it the GL scan.  What, you haven’t heard of it?  It’s the “God Look” scan.  I Samuel 16 tells the story of the Prophet Samuel going to a family to anoint the next king of Israel.  The sons of Jesse were lined up…one would be anointed king!  The first son was a handsome and big young man.  A perfect specimen to be king.  Samuel was ready to get out the oil for the symbolic act of anointing him, when he heard God speak.  “This is not the one.”   God basically tells Samuel to not just look about the physical characteristics of a person to make this kind of decision.  God looks upon the heart.  God looks on the inside – the character, the integrity, the motivations – the real inner person.  With one GL (God Look) scan, God knew that Eliab (that first son) and all the others were not what God desired.  One son was missing.  You know the story, it was David.  When David appeared before Samuel, God said, “This is the one.” 

The God Look scan is certainly different than the usual human glimpse of how we view people.  This is so evident in the Bible.  God chose Mary, an unknown teenager from a family of little means, to be the earthly mother of Jesus.  God chose Paul, a man who was a staunch Pharisee who was intentionally seeking to stomp out the Jesus movement, and yet Paul became the greatest evangelist that spread the good news of Jesus throughout the world.  I could go on with this kind of list.  The Bible is full of stories of the kind of people that we humans tend to overlook, but the God Look scan says, “That’s a person I need!”

Today as we each continue to grow as followers of Jesus, maybe a good question to ask is, “God, what do you see inside of me that I don’t see?”  Be open to what God might have to say.  Ask trusted friends what they see.  Listen carefully for what God might be saying.  After all, the God Look scan is more accurate than anything we’ve experienced here on earth.  But also know this, the results of the God Look scan are always based on God’s love for each of us.

Serving together,

Pastor Keith

I just did this! 7.29.22

“I just did this!”  Those were the words that I spoke out loud as I prepared to do it again.  I was standing by my lawn mower, having just put gas in the tank and preparing to pull the starting rope.  It was true, I had just done this…just four days earlier.  It’s amazing what an inch and a half of rain and some sunshine can do on one’s lawn.  It makes the grass grow…and grow it had.  I don’t have a huge yard, so this wasn’t a significant time commitment – just an hour and a half at the most.  It was just the fact that I felt like I had just done it. But it needed it again.  So… “let’s git er done” as they say.  So, I pulled on the rope and mowed the lawn. 

The truth is I could have waited another day or two to mow.  It wasn’t in desperate need of cutting.  But I also know that every day I wait, the job will become just a little bit harder.  You see, the longer I wait, it allows weeds to get a little bit bigger.  It allows things to get just a little more unmanageable.  Then, after waiting a few more days I realize how difficult the job will be, so, then I wait a few more days to avoid the mess.  And then you can guess it becomes a really challenging task I want to ignore.

Just the other morning, I was following my usual morning routine; up at 5:30, head downstairs to my office, spend a little time reading my Bible and in prayer.  As I sat down in my office chair and picked up my bible, there was that sense within me that said, “I just did this.”  It’s true, I had just done this very thing…24 hours earlier.  Every now and then I get that little voice within me that says, “You don’t need to do this so often.  You just did this.  You know, skipping a day or two…or three or four isn’t that big a deal.”  In years past I’ve allowed those little voices more influence in my life, but I’ve learned that just like in mowing the lawn, the more I delay, the harder it is to get back on track. 

I’ve learned in my life that when I slow down, or even stop practicing my spiritual disciplines, weeds begin to grow more in my soul.  You know, the weeds of doubt and discouragement.  Or there’s the vines of envy and pride that press their roots deeper into my heart.  Or it’s the seeds of negativity and entitlement that begin to blow around in the field of my mind  Or the crabgrass of callousness and criticism will begin to spread out in the soil of my spirit.  When these destructive weeds begin to take root, staying connected with God becomes more and more difficult.  My Bible reading suffers, my prayer life diminishes, my servants heart begins to harden, my desire for the things of God becomes more easily satisfied with less fulfilling things.  (Ohh, how many “likes” did I get with that Facebook post?)

It was a year ago while on a retreat that I discovered/admitted my spiritual gas can was empty.  Since returning home from that retreat I have been more intentional about making regular stops at the spiritual “gas pumps” of my faith, what John Wesley referred to as “Means of Grace.”  Yes, I still keep a gas can in my office as a reminder to take the time to fill up my spiritual tank.  It’s been a more fulfilling year because of these practices.  That’s why I am more intentional about doing those things “I just did” like reading my Bible, listening for God, reflecting on my journey, serving, working with a spiritual director, etc.  Yes, in many cases, “I just did that.”  But I’ve also come to realize that is a part of what loving God, loving neighbor, and loving myself really looks like. 

One more thought.  When I feel like saying “I just did that” in my spiritual journey I’ve begun to wonder, how often does God feel like saying that every time I ask for forgiveness…again.   Yet, God never says, What…Again …I just did that!”  God’s grace and forgiveness is always present, always generously applied and given when we / I ask.  I am so grateful for God’s grace and forgiveness that never takes a break…and keeps on giving! 

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

The Structure of Faith 7.22.22

I feel that most of us would agree, we have a beautiful building that we worship in.  Our church facility is a wonderful base of operation for the people of the Mitchell Community who call Downtown Mitchell First United Methodist Church their church home.  Part of the beauty and intention of the architecture of a structure, such as what we worship in, is to draw our eyes upward – as in drawing our eyes heavenward toward God.  Yes, our facility does just that, at least for me.  It draws my eyes, and my thoughts upward. 

As beautiful and meaningful as our facility is to our church family, the unspoken little secret is that it takes regular maintenance to keep the structure in sound usable status.  Something that not many people would think about is the mortar, the cement-like substance that is placed between the bricks that is the glue, so to speak, that holds them all together.  Over time the mortar can develop cracks, which can allow moisture to seep in between the bricks, and then that can cause the cracks to get bigger and become longer, which over time can then threaten the stability of a wall. 

It has been several decades since the last tuckpointing, or mortar repair, was done.  Dan and the Trustees have been aware of some cracks in the mortar.  However, this past Spring when we had the stained-glass workers here at our facility, they used their lift to get up to the windows they were working on, and in doing so they discovered a number of cracks that couldn’t easily be seen from the ground. 

This is not work that has to be done immediately, but it is also work that cannot be ignored and put off indefinitely.  In fact, the Trustees are gathering bids now so the work can be done within the next couple years.  However, this is not a cheap project so we’re going to start raising funds now. 

So, to help begin to raise these needed funds, I’m riding the Tour de Corn as a fundraiser for the Tuckpointing project.  The Tour de Corn will be held this year on August 20.  I am planning on doing the 62-mile ride.  I am seeking pledges for either per mile, or simply for the ride.  All the money raised will go into a fund to pay for the tuckpointing project.  There will be a signup sheet in the gathering area, or you can talk to me (Pastor Keith) or call Johanna in the church office. 

A final word I want to lift up is that our facility isn’t just about bricks and mortar.  We are really about doing spiritual work.  So, the question I am asking myself, and maybe a good question for all of us, is that of, “What is the condition of the mortar of my spiritual house?”  Personally, I believe our faith is the mortar that holds the bricks of our spiritual house together.  But over time, and especially with the stress of the past two years, it is likely that cracks have developed in the mortar of our faith, a least I know there have been some cracks that have developed in my faith house.  But just like the mortar of our church facility, the cracks in our faith aren’t a significant problem unless they are ignored. 

So, this year as I pedal my way around the Tour de Corn Route, and as I pedal in training for the event.  I’m going to be asking God, “Where are the cracks in the mortar of my faith that need to be attended to?”  This is important work for all of us who claim to be followers of Jesus.  Here in this house, we are working toward re-cementing our connection with God, our neighbors, and even with ourselves. This is truly important and life-giving work.  Join me in this cause for our facility…and for the strength of our combined faith!

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Faith Bugs 7.15.22

Bug season has arrived.  There are big bugs, little bugs, crawling bugs, jumping bugs, flying bugs, running bugs, biting bugs, ugly bugs, etc.  This means we can’t leave the patio door open for any length of time because we don’t want our home invaded by bugs. 

But there’s a special category of bugs that I was reminded of just the other day.  We refer to them as “no-see-ums.”  This means they are so tiny that they are really hard to see.  Just the other morning I was working in our garden pulling some weeds and doing some watering.  Suddenly there was a burning sensation on my arm.  Then there was the same sensation on my leg.  Yes, it was a rare moment that I had shorts on.  Then, the burning feeling returned to my arm in another spot.  I finally realized this burning sensation was being caused by tiny little bugs, the no-see-ums, that were biting me. 

Big bugs are easy to see and generally easier to avoid by swatting at them, moving away from them, etc.  However, the no-see-ums are much more difficult to avoid because it’s almost impossible to know when they are close or when they are even on you and in biting position.  You only know they are there when you feel the bite, the burn, or the sting.

I have a feeling that most of us would realize and understand that there are “bugs” in our faith journey too.  You know, the things that are annoying, that get in the way, that are obstacles to fully feeling connected or in tune with God.  Of course, there are the big bugs in the faith journey.  Jesus talks about some of them being;

“sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, folly.”  That list comes from Mark 7:22.  Paul provides a list in Galatians 5 that he refers to these bugs as, the works of the flesh.  His list includes, “sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.” Galatians 5:19-21

These are both great lists of the sins or bugs to avoid in our relationship with God.  But what I find is that it usually isn’t these big “bugs” that trip me up. There’s the no-see-ums of the faith that are what get me.  You know, it’s the sense of entitlement that on accession pops up.  “You’ve been working hard, you’re entitled to…” Or it’s the question that satan puts in my ear.  “Do you really think one time is going to hurt you.”  Or it’s the statement that we hear quite often, either directly or indirectly, in our world today “Come on…everyone else is doing it.” Or a real common one that I hear about…and I experience it myself, is that little voice that whispers, especially in the difficult moments in life, “Does God really love you?  Does God really care?”

Of course, what the no-see-ums are in life and faith can differ from person to person because the blind spots we each have also differ from person to person, depending on our experiences, expectations, temperament, etc.   But just like in life, bug repellant keeps the bugs, even the no-see-ums, away.  In our faith, the bug repellent is knowing scripture, prayer, community, and a close, vibrant, and honest connection with God. 

Today, I’m going to think about the no-see-ums in my faith.  What are they?  When do they tend to bite?  Then I might find a scripture or two to address a couple of those bites, and I’ll spend some time talking to God about it, too.  How about you?  Bugs, or the things that lead to sin and disconnection from God are real, even the no-see-ums.  Take a moment to consider the no-see-ums in your life and faith.  When you find or feel a couple of them, apply the repellent of God love, God’s Word, and God’s truth.  It’s amazing how quickly the bugs will scurry away when God’s truth, Word, and love is applied in our lives.

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Mac-n-Cheese 7-08-22

Downtown Mitchell First UMC

310 North Rowley, Mitchell, SD 57301

Rev. Keith Nelson, Lead Pastor

keith@downtownfirstumc.com

Recently Nancy and I spent some time in the Wisconsin Dells. We spent a couple days there on our honeymoon, and since this is our 40-year wedding anniversary, we thought it fitting to return to the Dells. Wow, has that region changed a lot in 40 years. One of our unofficial “vacation rules” is that if we are going to eat out, we try not to eat at a restaurant that we have here in Mitchell. Ok, there is one exception…Dairy Queen. Oh, and I guess if either of us wants a 99-cent beverage, McDonalds is the place to go. Other than that, we try to find unique or at least different places to eat.

So, as we were walking along the main street of downtown Wisconsin Dells, we came across a restaurant called MACS, which featured Macaroni and Cheese. Like many of you are thinking right now, my first thought was, “Mac and Cheese, that’s kids’ food.” And we walked on by. A bit later I found my mind drifting back to MACS and thinking about how I’d heard from some people that mac and cheese had become more of a “thing” in the food world…even for adults. So, I brought it up to Nancy; “Want to give MACS a try?” She was rather surprised but said, “Sure.” After looking over the menu, I ordered the Memphis MAC, which featured Mac and Cheese, of course. But it also had pulled pork and BBQ sauce. YUM!!! Nancy got the Veggie MAC which included onions, mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, and of course mac and cheese. What arrived at our table looked nothing like the mac and cheese that we used to serve our kids when they were little. Let me say…it was SO good!!! I’d go back again I was so glad that we decided to try something totally different for our evening meal.

The truth is, we all get stuck in our ruts…not just in the food world, but also in other areas of our life, such as in our spiritual life. Often, we human beings tend to stick with what we know and what we are comfortable with. Or, as I’ve heard some people put it, “I know what I like, and I like what I know!” But, there’s another saying that is also very true, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” Meaning, if you haven’t tried or experienced something new or different, you really don’t know if you’ll like it, if it will be meaningful, or helpful or not.

Recently I’ve read some authors that aren’t usually on my “favorites” list. I’ve listened to a couple podcasts that aren’t the norm for me. I’ve experienced and participated in worship in forms that generally wouldn’t be my first choice. I’ve listened to some styles of music that generally aren’t on my play list. What I have found is that I have been enriched by many of these different experiences. No, I won’t be including all of them in my usual or regular faith practices, but God has spoken to me or has allowed me to gain a new insight into God’s presence and power through these different means. This practice has helped me see that God is so much bigger than my own limited understanding.

Now this isn’t to say that anything goes, so to speak. There are some basic beliefs and faith tenants that I do hold to even as I explore other faith experiences. But the truth is, sometimes I do get in a rut and God shows us over and over again in the Bible that God often pulls people out of their ruts in unexpected and new ways. So, a practice I try to follow, and I encourage others to do so as well, is try a new experience in your faith journey every so often, and rather than being immediately critical in a negative way, ask yourself, “How might God be speaking and moving in this moment?” You might just discover a new favorite.

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith

Breaking Out Of Our Routine 6.17.22

Recently I pulled into my usual place for filling up my car with gas.  I pulled up to the first pump and then noticed the “out-of-service” bag over the nozzle.  I then glanced at the next pump; it also had the same yellow bag over its filling nozzle.  I then looked at all the pumps.  They all had a yellow “out of service” bag over the nozzle end of the hose.  “That’s odd.” I thought.  I then focused my attention on the convenience store building and that’s when I saw nothing.  Oh, the building was still there but the inside was dark, I could see the shelves were empty, and there was a “Going Out of Business” sign in the front window.  Well, when did that happen?  Obviously since the last time I got gas!

This experience reminded me of how much we humans are creatures of habit and we don’t like our routines messed with.  My first reaction when realizing my “usual” place was closed, was that of “Oh no…what am I going to do? Where am I going to get gas?” After all, this was the place that I could get 7 cents off a gallon of gas for paying with cash!!  Then I laughed at myself and realized this was nothing to panic about, there were plenty of other places to get fuel for my car.  What this means is that I now have the opportunity to get acquainted with other gas stations here in Mitchell.  I might even find a place I like better! 

As I reflect on this moment it points out that change can be challenging, especially unexpected change.  But change can also provide new and growing opportunities, as well as new discoveries.  I’ve discovered this truth in my spiritual life as well. 

I don’t know about you, but I tend to get in a rut, spiritually speaking.  I have tended to read from the same translation of the Bible, I have tended to read the same authors, I have tended to follow the same pattern in my quiet time, etc.  None of this is necessarily a bad thing…but it does limit what I use to fuel my soul.  In my sermon preparation, one of my seminary professors suggested that we read the passage we’re preaching on from several different Bible translations.  Sometimes a word in a different translation than what we usually use will provide a new insight into a not-before seen principle in God’s Word. 

At the beginning of this year, I started reading from a different translation of the Bible for my personal devotion time.  It helps give a new perspective on things, sometimes.  It helps me experience God’s Word in fresh ways.  I’ve even intentionally read some different authors and speakers in the past year, simply to open myself up to new thoughts and ideas.  This has truly provided fuel for my soul!

As we each make our way through our day, through our week, through this month, and even through this year, sometimes it can be a good thing to break out of our routines.  I know, it can be rather uncomfortable, at least to begin with, but it can also provide an opportunity for new experiences and new growth. So, what if your favorite faith author stops writing…what if your favorite podcast, speaker, preacher, teacher, that has given you spiritual fuel, stops speaking?  What to do!?  It just might be a great opportunity to allow God to speak into your life in new and fresh ways.  It might be a God-given opportunity to search out new sources of fuel for your soul.  After all, I didn’t stop driving just because my favorite gas station closed, I simply found another place that provided the fuel I needed to keep on going. 

Serving Together,

Pastor Keith