Today...We Remember 04.07.2023

We’ve all experienced it.  You say something over and over again…and over time you simply stop thinking about what you are saying.  For couples in a relationship, the words “I Love You” can have that fate.  Without intention, the words become empty.  In the presence of one’s healthcare provider it is easy to say, “Yes, I’m watching what I eat and I’m losing weight.”  And yet we go home and have a bowl of ice cream because we made it through that appointment/day.  

As a pastor, I have literally said the Lord’s Prayer hundreds…if not thousands of times.  Throughout my entire ministry I’ve thought of doing a sermon series or even a study on the Lord’s Prayer, just to become more focused on the words I/we actually speak when praying that prayer.  Most of us can probably say the words by memory without really thinking much about what we are saying.  I know I at times have been guilty of this!!

I have found this six-week study and sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer very beneficial, and even eye opening as I’ve become more aware of and connected with the words of the prayer.  Two of the words that have had the greatest impact are “Thy & Thine,” or in a more current day voice the words would be “your & yours.” 

Of course, the intent of the words is to direct our focus, or the person praying the prayer, to where our focus really belongs…to God.  Honored be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory…  Line after line in this prayer, we are reminded that it isn’t our interests that we are seeking after in our prayer or in how we live our life, but rather it is God’s interest, God’s Kingdom, God’s will which we seek.  Yet, how often do those words slip out of my mouth without my focus truly being on living those phrases out.  How often do I, or any of us, just say the words trying to get to the “Amen” or the end.

Today is Good Friday, and as I read through the Good Friday story in Luke’s gospel, chapter 22, I came across some familiar words, words that Jesus shares with the disciples as he is teaching them about prayer.  Jesus is in the garden praying, this is after the last supper and before his arrest.  It is likely late at night on Thursday or in the wee hours of Friday morning.  Jesus prays these words, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done.”  Did you hear them… “not my will be yours (will) be done.”

When Jesus taught the disciples the pattern for prayer in Matthew 6, part of the prayer is, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.”  Throughout his earthly life this truly is the focus of Jesus’ actions, living out God’s Kingdom and will.  But we see it so very clearly on Good Friday when Jesus knows what he is about to face - the cross.  He asks if there is another way.  But he says with trembling conviction, “but not my will but yours be done.”  That is powerful!  Jesus’ pattern for prayer wasn’t just words to the disciples…he lived it out…and it cost him his life.

As I journey on in life walking with Jesus, I find the Lord’s prayer speaking deeply to me.  Am I honoring God’s name, am I reaching for God’s Kingdom and will to be done here on earth (in my life and community) as it is in heaven?  Am I trusting God for the things that I truly need in life?  Am I forgiving others as often and as quickly as I am seeking God’s forgiveness?  Am I really seeking God’s leadership in my life and allowing God to help me steer clear of the evil that so quickly tempts?  Do I recognize that all the kingdoms of this world & universe, the power, and the glory is truly God’s….and God’s alone?  Powerful words and questions. 

But for today, I hear the words echoing in the world and in my heart and mind, “not my will but yours be done.”  Thank you, Jesus, for surrendering to God’s will.  Today…we remember!!

Pastor Keith

God's Spirit At Work 03.31.2023

There is good news in the world!!  There is good news in our church!!  But to make sure that good news is heard, we have to tell the story!  So, today I want to tell a couple of stories that make me smile.  

The first good news story is that recently we had six people join our church family. Yes, six individuals met with me for a couple hours after worship several weeks ago to gain a little bit of history about John Wesley and the United Methodist Church.  We also explored a little bit about who we are, Downtown Mitchell FUMC, as a church family here in Mitchell.  Then, at the end of the time together on that day, they took the vows of membership and promised to support our church with their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

But the story I really want to tell speaks of the generosity of our congregation and how that impacts and causes others to want to be generous and to make a difference in the world, no matter how small.  This story also speaks of the power of our use of technology and how we are able to include people in the community in our worship and ministry, even though they are not physically present in our facility.  

Last week I led worship in one of our area care facilities.  As residents were gathering for the service, I walked around greeting and visiting with them.  So, I was kind of on the move.  All of a sudden I heard “Pastor Nelson…Pastor Nelson…Pastor Nelson!”  I looked and there was a dear lady pushing her walker along and trying to catch me.  I stopped moving, she caught up with me and then a beautiful thing happened.

The woman reached into her pouch and pulled out a zip-lock bag containing some quarters and a couple dollar bills.  She held it up to me and said, “This is my bingo winnings and I’d like it to go to the Noisy Bucket at your church.”  How beautiful is that!!  Then she reached into her pouch again and pulled out an envelope and said, “This isn’t much, but I’d like this to go to your camping scholarships, because camp is such a great place for people to hear about Jesus.”  And again…how beautiful is that!!!

This wasn’t a church member who said and did this.  This woman was someone who connected with our church through our technology during COVID.  She has so appreciated and even felt connected with our congregation that she wanted to be a part of supporting the work and ministry of our church through the limited means that she had.  In a sense, it struck me that this was sort of a “widows’ mite” moment.  

What this experience reminded me of is the fact that we never know how God’s Spirit is at work in another person’s life…even virtually and through the use of technology.  God’s Spirit is going to accomplish God’s purposes in whatever way possible.  I’m reminded of a saying that is a part of my daily affirmations.  “I am responsible for Faithfulness…God is responsible for Outcomes.”

Thank you for being a church that is open to doing new things.  I’m sure there were those who didn’t like the idea of broadcasting worship through livestream, etc. all those years ago when the cameras and computers were first installed.  But your faithfulness to use a new tool to proclaim the good news of Jesus is still bearing results today…even though a dear soul living in a care facility who I don’t believe has ever stepped foot in our facility.  Yet, this dear woman is one of us…but more importantly, she is one of Jesus’ followers.  Let’s keep making Jesus followers and sharing the good news!!  

Pastor Keith

There is Hope 03.24.2023

Aren’t you just loving this spring weather?  Here we are several days into spring, and yes, I do believe the snow piles are disappearing a little bit.  Today, Friday, it is actually supposed to get up into the 40’s, with partly cloudy or, if you want to take the more positive perspective, partly sunny skies!!  The sun will feel good.  With these slightly warmer temperatures, we have noticed that we are starting to see more people out on the walking paths.  People are starting to emerge from their homes. I hear people talking more about spring!

Now I realize that even though the calendar may tell us we are in the season of spring, it doesn’t necessarily feel like it.  As I look at the 10-day forecast for Mitchell, it still appears that every night the temperatures will be below freezing.  It’s even possible that next week there will be another chance of snow or some sort of wintry precipitation as a part of our weather.  Sidenote: I always tell people that the worst blizzard I experienced while living in Devils Lake, North Dakota happened in early April.  So, even though we are living in the days of spring, it maybe doesn’t feel like it.  But there is hope!  Spring, new life, new beginnings are coming.  We just have to be patient!

This image or reality of spring is fitting for the church season we find ourselves in.  We are living in the season of Lent, which is generally seen as a more somber, reflective, or some would even say it’s a dark or heavy season of the church year.  Yet in the midst of the darkness or somberness, I hear of plans being made for Easter.  Resurrection day…new life is before us.

If we look around, we can see signs of spring, such as what I mentioned above.  People are starting to emerge from their homes more, we’re seeing more people on the bike path, the snow piles are receding in our front and back yards.  We’ve even noticed that when we turn Sophie out into the back yard to go potty, sometimes she chooses to simply lay outside on the deck because the temperatures are warmer.  But the biggest sign of spring…Nancy sent me a picture just the other day that shows her tulips just starting to push up from the ground.  It won’t be long before the trees will start budding and the grass will start turning green.  Once again, Spring and new life is coming upon us and it’s closer than we realize!

This is basically the message that Jesus shares with some of his friends and disciples in John 11.  In this story, Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died.  Lazarus’ two sisters, Mary and Martha, are grieving and mourning the loss of their brother.  In conversation with Martha, Jesus tells her that Lazarus will rise again.  Martha admits that she knows he’ll come back to life in the resurrection of the “final days.”  It’s then that Jesus gives Martha a message that hints to her that resurrection is closer than she realizes.  Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.”  Then moments later Jesus calls Lazarus to come out of the tomb…and he does!  New life is realized!!

Today we are living with the tiredness of winter.  We are tired of the cold and the unpredictability of winter weather; we’re tired of shoveling or chopping or slipping on ice.  We’re tired of bundling up in multiple layers just to stay warm outside.  And the other truth is, we are tired of the chaos of our world, we’re tired of the darkness that seems to be present in our world, we are tired of the divisiveness and the biting words that seem ever present.  We are tired of the somberness of Lent.  My friends, know this, new life is possible.  New life is coming!  New life is closer than we realize!!  Hang on…change is coming, because Jesus is the resurrection and the life!!

Learning Lovingkindness,

Pastor Keith

God Is Always With Us 03.17.2023

What a day yesterday, Thursday March 16th, was.  It started out not particularly pleasant with snow and a bit of a breeze.  And it only went downhill from there.  The snow kept coming and the wind got stronger…and stronger. As the National Weather Service had indicated, we ended up with blizzard conditions with blowing snow and some areas experiencing very limited visibility.  

Travel around town was certainly doable.  But even in my travels around Mitchell, every so often I’d get a glimpse of what it was like out in the country.  I was glad I didn’t have to travel outside of town.  I could see that visibility had become very limited during the morning hours.  And then something subtle but significant happened.  The temperature must have dropped slightly, or at least just enough that roads, the paved and concrete roads, began to get slick.  All of a sudden the Facebook page “Mitchell 911” began to blow up with reports of vehicles sliding into the ditch, rollover accidents, collisions, etc.    

This pattern continued into the afternoon hours; blowing snow, windy conditions, poor visibility, slick surfaces and accidents. Pleas kept going out over the Mitchell 911 page, as well as the SD Highway Patrol page for people to slow down on the roads or simply not travel.  However, the reports of accidents and vehicle mishaps just kept on coming.  One accident even involved a Highway Patrol Officer who was providing traffic control for an accident further ahead on I90.  A truck lost control on the slick roads and slid right into the Highway Patrol vehicle.  From the reports, no one was seriously injured, thank goodness.

Then something else happened mid-afternoon.  The storm front passed through, the clouds disappeared, and the glorious sun shone upon us with all its strength.  In many ways it turned into a beautiful afternoon with the sun melting off some of the snow that had accumulated on the streets, sidewalks, and driveways around town.  I realize out in the country and on many highways, there were still issues, but the afternoon turned out brighter and better than I had expected, especially considering we were under a winter weather advisory.

Now, please understand.  I’m not saying that yesterday afternoon was perfect, go to the lake or golf course kind of weather.  Not at all!  We still have to wait a bit for that kind of weather.  But the fact that the sun came out and began melting some of the snow made it feel or seem better than what had been expected.  

What I’m reminded of is that too often our expectations set the tone for the day.  I expected it to be stormy all day, so I was surprised when the sun came out.  Or we expect others to tell us what kind of a day we’re going to have, such as the National Weather Service telling us we were under a Winter Weather Advisory until about 10pm last evening. 

In this journey of life or our journey of faith, we will encounter storms.  There’s no getting around it.  Storms are a part of life…which means they are also a part of our faith experience.  But what is important to realize is that storms don’t necessarily last as long as we think they will or they may not be as devastating as we expect.  Just as the sun came out on Thursday, so too, the sun or the “son,” can come out in our lives and take away the threat of the storms or the impact on our lives.  

Something we all need to remember is that storms are a reality…but they don’t last forever, whether they are winter storms or summer storms.  They don’t last forever.  The sun will come out, the ice will melt, the dark clouds will disappear.  God never says we won’t have storms in life, quite the opposite actually.  What God does promise is to be with us throughout the storms and to bring us into a new day.   Amen…Amen…   (Now about these snow storms…I think I’m ready for a good old thunderstorm!!)  ☺

Pastor Keith

Jesus Loves Us 03.10.2023

A passage from the Bible that has captured my attention this year during this season of Lent comes from Luke 9:51. Jesus has been up in the northern or Galilee region, and the passage tells us that he “set his face to go to Jerusalem.”  In other words, he’s heading for the cross.  This isn’t a quick trip.  It will take some time, especially with the pace that Jesus usually travels at.  But even as he stops along the way to teach, preach, heal, and connect with people, still his face is set towards Jerusalem.

These words “set his face” speak of intention, they speak of purpose, and at least to me, they speak of Jesus knowing there is pain, suffering, and sacrifice in his future.  Despite or because of all this, Jesus made a choice; he set his face, and took the first step that would take him to Jerusalem…and the cross.  

I would guess there were many moments on that journey which provided opportunities for Jesus to reflect on his own connection with God and his purpose in living out God’s love here on earth.  Were there moments Jesus wanted to turn around and walk in the opposite direction?  Possibly!  But still…he pressed on toward Jerusalem.

For us today, Lent provides a season in our lives which allows us to reflect on our own connection with God, our own journey of faith, and how we are living out God’s purpose and God’s love here on earth.  This is why there are often various spiritual disciplines practiced during this season.  Spiritual disciplines help us be open to the voice or Spirit of God speaking to us as we too “set our face” to following Jesus.

During Lent have you committed to giving up something?  Good for you.  May the discomfort you experience during this season cause you to reflect on Jesus’ discomfort and what he gave up of himself for each of us, as he drew near the cross.  Have you committed to pray, read the Bible, attend worship more?  That’s fantastic!  May your growing connection with God not end when Lent or Easter ends, but may it be a new beginning of an ongoing journey of being present with God in our world.  Have you made some other commitment or decision intended to make faith and God more pronounced in your life? Wonderful!  Moving toward faith and the cross is always a worthy and life enriching goal!  It’s true, practicing spiritual disciplines may not always be comfortable, but it always leads to a more meaning-filled life of faith.

May we understand that in this season of Lent, we too, have the opportunity to set our face toward the cross, we too have the chance to be intentional in our walk with Jesus, we too are moving forward on a crash-course with a culture that tells us “Love is not the answer.”  But Jesus knew love was and is the only answer to what troubles this world…and what we seek in our lives!  This is why we set our face toward the cross as followers of Jesus.  We seek to live out the love that Jesus boldly and fully proclaimed…even by giving up his very life.  

As we walk these final weeks and steps with Jesus toward the cross, may this season be a meaning-filled time of reflecting on our own faith journey, but also on how much Jesus loves us.  He loves you and me so much…he set his face toward Jerusalem and went to the cross.  

Pastor Keith

What Is Your Residual? 03.03.2023

Many of you know that I like to start these Friday Reflections by asking a question.  So, here’s today’s question.  What do you leave behind after you leave?  You know, what is the residual that you or I leave on people after we are no longer in their presence?  Give that a thought for just a moment or two.  I’m guessing you haven’t thought much about the potential “residual” that you leave behind.

What raised this question in my mind is an experience I had the other day.  Understand that Nancy and I have two cats and a dog that share our home with us and it seems to be that time of year in which our pets are shedding just a bit.  (Yay, maybe spring is in the air!)  Anyway, both of our cats have their moments of being lap cats, when they want a little attention.  The other day our long-haired calico cat, who was calmly sitting in my lap, decided she’d had enough attention and jumped down.  However, she left me with a gift…the gift of cat hair in my lap.  Or another time, when I was getting ready for the day, I noticed one of our cats was rubbing against my leg.  Later when I looked down at my pants leg, there was cat hair clinging to my pants.  There have even been times, that hours later, I’ll look down and see cat hair on my pants, even though I’m at work and haven’t had a cat close by for hours.  As they say, pet hair is the gift that keeps on giving!!  

Of course, seeing this cat residual in my lap made me think of our two loving cats, which generally speaking, is a positive thing.  But it did get me thinking about what the residual is that I leave behind when I am no longer present with a person?  Is my lingering presence or after-effects with other people positive or negative?  I’m guessing we’ve all known people that when someone walks into a room, there’s an unheard groan, because the person tends to be so negative, or self-centered, or mean spirited, or contrary, etc. that no one wants to hang around them.  I’ve also had the experience of being around people who are positive, delightful, encouragers, other-focused, etc.  They are a joy to be around and tend to have lots of people hanging around them.  

There are several passages from the Bible that I believe speak to this very topic.  Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  We seem to live in a day in which there are a lot more “harsh words” than there are “soft answers.”  And at least for myself, I am drawn more to a person with a soft answer, even if it’s an answer I don’t necessarily agree with.  

There are also a number of passages in the Bible that remind us of the positive effect our presence can have.  Think about the fact that people were drawn to Jesus. He almost always had a crowd around him. Why? Because there was love and hope, generally speaking, in what he had to say.  He treated people as if they mattered, because in Jesus books, they did matter…a lot!!

Colossians 3:12 tells us, as Jesus followers, to clothe ourselves, or put on, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, and even love.  This is a passage often read at weddings.  As helpful as it is for the bride and groom to hear, these words were not originally intended for weddings…but for everyday-ordinary people like you and me.  The reason for putting on these qualities isn’t for our own benefit, it’s for the benefit of those we interact with throughout the day.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul encourages people to “build one another up.” He’s speaking of being an encouraging presence in people’s lives and not one that tears down, because that is what the church or Body of Christ is supposed to be about!

So, once again, the question I’m asking myself is this, what is the residual, or the after-effect, that I leave on people?  How would you answer that question for yourself?  It’s a good question to consider because who we are and how we treat others leaves an impression that lasts long after we are no longer in a person’s presence.  

My hope, as a human being and as a Jesus Follower, is that I leave behind an impression of encouragement, of hope, of joy, of acceptance, and of love.  Qualities that I hope will build others up and not tear down.  In my opinion, there’s too much tearing down going on in our world.  Our calling as Jesus’ people is that of living out Jesus’ command of loving one another and Paul’s word to build one another up.  Good words to live by and an even better impression to leave with people, even when we’re not in their presence.

Pastor Keith

Serving Together 02.24.2023

Whewww…we made it through.  In spite of various obstacles we “Got-er-done.”  It’s always great to be able to look in the rear-view-mirror of life and see some long-anticipated event behind us and accomplished.  It’s even better when all those participating seem to be having fun.  The event that I am speaking of is our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed!  

People in our church have been working on it, planning for it, seeking donations and volunteers, and arranging all the details for months.  To say that a lot of energy was expended in preparation for this event would be an understatement.  There was even a point within the last week in which we wondered if it was even going to be possible to hold the event, because of incoming inclement weather.  However, the weather cooperated, for the most part, and the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed happened as scheduled.  

It was great to see the various people here at the church the day before Shrove Tuesday making preparations for the feed; tables set up, placemats set out, signs put up, serving tables set in their place, etc.  There is so much more that goes into hosting a pancake feed than just having Chris’s Cakes set up their grills.  

Speaking of Chris’s Cakes, it was great to see those fun-loving pancake flippers here again.  To hear some of their old jokes…and a few new ones, as well as to see the pancakes flying through the air again toward their unsuspecting recipients.  And of course, the pancake feed just wouldn’t be the same without the people of the community who turned out to eat pancakes.  There was lots of laughter, lots of conversation, lots of reconnecting (after all, it has been three years since we last had the Shrove Tuesday Feed) and of course a lot of eating going on.  It was a good day!!

I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone involved.  There are so many to thank I’m not even going to attempt to start naming them all.  In fact, that’s what makes the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed such a great event, in my books, the way that it involves so many people from our church family. Yes, the pancake feed is a fundraiser for the church.  But even if it wasn’t, I believe it is still a great event simply because of the way it brings people together to accomplish a purpose and to connect with the community.  

The Shrove Tuesday Pancake Feed, in my opinion, is such a great event because it becomes a miniature version of what the greater church is really supposed to be about…people giving of their time, using their ability, working with others to serve others and make the world just a bit better.  Who would have thought that pancakes could make the world a bit better.  But it did…for just a moment or two…or most of the day this past Tuesday.  

Yes, I’m guessing everyone is already looking forward to next year, which by the way, Shrove Tuesday is February 13, 2024.  But the main lesson for me about our pancake feed is that it takes so many people giving of themselves and serving to make it happen.  That is also when the church, the Body of Christ, is at its best.  Our Pancake feed is effective and successful only because of the great number of people involved.  This is also when the Church is at its best…when we’re all involved living and serving for something bigger than ourselves, God’s Kingdom.  Thank you all for Shrove Tuesday!!  Let’s keep on serving together for God’s Kingdom to be fulfilled through this body we call…the Church!!

Learning Lovingkindness…

Pastor Keith

God Is At Work! 02.17.2023

We need revival over here!! Those are words forever etched into my mind.  I believe I have previously written about the “revival” plant that we had in our farmhouse when I was in high school.  It was some sort of fern that was really bushy when it was healthy and doing well.  But when the soil was dried out, the branches of the plant just hung limply over the side of the bowl it was planted in.  When mom or I saw it in that state, we’d holler out, “We need revival over here!” and then the other would come running with some water.  We’d give the plant a drink, and within minutes it would be bushy once again.  Thus, that phrase, “We need revival over here!” has a humorous place in my memory banks. 

However, there is a real sense of profound truth in those words too.  We do need revival over here!!  As things are going in this world, and even in the greater universal Church…we do need revival. Revival is defined in the Merriam Webster Dictionary as “a period of renewed religious interest.”  Keep in mind the true meaning of religion isn’t just about rituals and institutions, it’s about reconnecting with God or the spiritual part of life.  Remember the Latin breakdown of the word – Re=again and ligion=connecting.  If you look at Jesus’ time here on earth, I’d say that in many ways Jesus was teaching, preaching, living, and acting to bring about revival.  Jesus was all about getting people to refocus or reconnect with the things of God.  

I mention this because there is a revival taking place on the campus of Asbury College and Seminary.  For about 10 days now there has been a continuous, as in 24 hours a day, time of worship, singing, prayer, repentance, preaching, praising, and witnessing to the power of God touching lives taking place on the campus.  You would think the Christian faith community in general would be celebrating what is taking place in Wilmore, Kentucky.  There are many who are celebrating.  But the truth is there are also many who are critical and being negative about what is taking place.  

I have read articles by both those celebrating God at work in what is happening, and I’ve also read articles by those who are skeptical and even negative towards what is happening. I thought it was interesting that one of the nay-sayers arguments against this being a “true” revival is the fact that it isn’t taking place in an actual church…but an auditorium on a college and seminary campus.  Others have said its too early to say if it’s really a revival.  Considering the way there’s been such divisiveness in our nation over almost everything in recent years, you can imagine the arguments being used for and against this specific occurrence.  

For myself, I’m just celebrating the fact that God’s spirit is at work.  To me it’s a reminder there is much that we can’t control and even fully understand in this world.  I’m also reminded of God’s words spoken through Isaiah, painting a picture to the Hebrew people of future hopefulness.  People are being invited to turn to God.  In Isaiah 55 the people are being told that God is doing something new…something unexpected.  In the midst of this word of hope the people are reminded, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9.  

I personally feel that revival takes place where hearts are open and receptive or where the way has been prepared.  But how revival happens, that’s God’s doing.  That’s the Spirit’s touch.  And just because revival is happening in one place but isn’t here…that doesn’t invalidate what God is doing there.  Let’s rejoice that God’s Spirit is flowing and being felt in a powerful way.

One writer expressed so well an important point.  He said not to look to the extremes of a movement like this.  Someone will always take things to the extremes.  But instead look to the middle of what is being experienced and what is occurring.  God is calling people to turn back to God and to refocus on the things of God.  I’m guessing that is really something most of us could use a touch of in our lives and in our own following of Jesus.  

May we pray that revival continues in this world…and even comes to us.  Yes, I believe God is at work!  I also believe the best days of the church are yet to come.  May we proclaim, along with the rest of the world, “We need revival over here!”  Amen…and Amen!!

Learning Lovingkindness

Pastor Keith

Instructions 02.10.2023

Several weeks ago, I had a tooth come apart, which meant a trip to the dentist.  Fortunately, the tooth didn’t hurt and they were able to fit me into their schedule fairly quickly!!  YAY!!  So, off to the dentist I went.  Now I could bore you with all the details of what had to be done…and what is still left to do.  Let me just say one word, “implant” and some of you will understand.  

Anyway, some fairly significant dental work had to be done during that office visit.  My dentist did a good job with the procedure, explaining what had to be done and what he was doing.  He also explained what I needed to do over the course of the next week or so.  He sent me home with a sheet of instructions, some gauze, and a prescription, all contained nicely in a plastic bag so none of it would get lost.  

About a week later I had a couple of questions about some things, wondering if I could / should do this or that to aid in the healing and recovery process.  I called the dentist office and they scheduled me to come back in.  Everything checked out OK and then I asked my questions.  The dentist listened to me, answered my questions, and then sent me on my way.

Another week passed by and everything seemed to be going well in the mouth department.  Then one evening I was dealing with some of my stuff that was laying around the house and I came across a little plastic bag with some gauze and a sheet of instructions in it.  “Oh yeah.” I thought to myself.  I pulled out the instructions and there written on that sheet of paper were the answers to some of the questions that I had had from a week earlier.  Hmmmm….  I wonder if my dentist was thinking as I asked my questions the week earlier, “You didn’t read the instructions.  Read the Instructions.”  He would have had every right to say that to me, but of course, he didn’t.  He was too kind to do that.  I realized though, that I could have saved myself a couple days of wandering, before calling and making the second appointment if I had only read the instructions.  

At times I have to wonder if God ever feels that way too.  You see, God has given us the Bible, God’s written word, to help us navigate the life of faith.  Now I don’t necessarily believe the Bible is an instruction manual like one might think of, telling you how to effectively work an appliance, or such.  Yet the Bible is God’s word for us, telling us the story of God and the story of people seeking to live faithfully.  A big part of why, as followers of Jesus, we are encouraged to read the Bible daily, is so that as we read God’s story, we learn more and more about who God is and how God seeks for us to live.  

I understand that at times the Bible doesn’t speak directly into the situation we may find ourselves in here on earth.  So, we may find ourselves turning to God in prayer.  “God, what should I do?”  “God, how do I deal with this situation?” “God, how do I follow you more closely?”  Certainly, God always wants to hear from us and talk with us in prayer.  But I wonder if God ever thinks… “If you’d read the instructions…if you’d read my word, you’d find the insight and direction you are looking for.”

Of course, the life of faith is more complex than my dental work, and certainly the instruction sheet from my dentist is much briefer than the Bible.  However, how often have I complained to God about something, when I haven’t even opened…or thought of, looking in God’s word for insight.  May that be our practice each and every day, to open God’s word and receive God’s guidance and love for our lives.

Pastor Keith

Talking...Listening 02.03.2023

We’ve all heard jokes or stories about the wordy preacher that drones on and on not seeming to realize the time.  On occasion I’ll admit that in my speaking or in my writing I’ve been known to be a little bit wordy.  But sometimes there’s just so much I want to share!! ☺  Or the fantasy is, if I just share one more point then everyone will find this topic as interesting or meaningful as I do.  Rarely is that true.

Just recently I’ve been reading an article in a national news magazine that deals with this very real problem in our nation.  The problem is oversharing.  Or the technical term is “Talkaholism” which is defined as the addiction to talking.  The article states that some people just cannot not talk, or so it would seem.  Social media has only made this issue worse because everybody can have a platform and it seems that oversharing about one’s life has become the norm.  

The cover story title for the article is “Zip It!!  The Power of Saying Less!”  The other headline for the article was “Talking Less Will Get You More.”  The article talks about several big name CEOs and a Supreme Court Justice that uses few words when responding to questions or they pause often in their responses to make sure they are using the proper words.  These individuals are seen as very effective at what they do by talking less.

This article reminds me of something that Jesus said that is included in what we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount contained in Matthew 5-7.  Jesus says, “Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No.’  Matthew 5:37.  This verse is contained in a short section in which Jesus is talking about oaths, which were a common thing in Jesus’ day.  Oaths were a way for a person to emphasize the importance of something being said.  Occasionally you’ll hear someone say, “It’s the truth, I swear.”  Or “I swear on my mothers grave!”  That’s the kind of thing Jesus is talking about.

However, in Jesus’ day people would get pretty elaborate with their oaths, making them more and more wordy, more and more complicated.  People were also using wordy, complex oaths because it made it easier for individuals to find wiggle room for getting out of their oaths.  But Jesus steps in with a clear word – speak plainly and simply – “Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No.’  This is such an important and necessary word that James, Jesus' brother, used these same words in his letter, “Let your Yes be Yes and your No be No.”  James 5:12

I always find it amusing when some big modern day study basically says the same thing that Jesus said so many years ago.  The study done about talking too much basically recommends that we listen more and even try to allow for more silence in our lives.  Yes, for some people that is hard.  I’ve had some people say that is why they can’t or won’t pray more, because they can’t/won’t be silent.  

So, as we seek to follow Jesus more closely each and every day, may we also strive to live out his words and his example.  Yes, there are times when talking is important, but there are also times when it is important to listen and to be silent.  May God give us the wisdom to know when those different moments are.  

Serving Together

Pastor Keith

P.S.  If you’re interested, there is a Talkaholic quiz.  Just google it and you’ll find it.