No Lone Rangers

"Then Elijah said to the people, 'I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets number 450!"

(1 Kings 18:22)

We Americans love our heroes.  Whether on the big screen (Iron Man, Captain America, Batman, etc.) or in real life (Firefighters, Police, US Military, etc.)... from our past (Washington, Lincoln, Jackson, etc.), or our more contemporary present (MLK Jr., Caesar Chavez, John Glenn, etc.)... in the world of sports (Babe Ruth, Lou Cherig, Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron, Don Drysdale, etc.) or entertainment (Brando, Hanks, Stallone, Will Smith, etc.).  We love heroic characters and heroic actions.  We love the underdog.  We love fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds.

But sometimes we think a bit more of ourselves than we should.  Okay, maybe quite a bit more than sometimes.  We forget that others may be in the very same place as us (for good or ill).  We think it's up to us to "press ahead" and "go it alone."  But we're wrong.

Elijah can relate.  In 1 Kings 17-19 we get a marvelous story of drought & rain, challenge & danger, fire & water, God & Baal.  Elijah was a prophet of God... who God used powerfully, indeed!  But he thought he was "it."  He thought he was the only one.  The last of the faithful.  The survivor.  He thought he was THE ONLY person left that God could use.  He, too, was wrong.

Even after Obadiah told him that he'd hidden 50 prophets of the LORD from danger (see 1 Kings 18:13), Elijah still told the people that he alone was the only one left who represented God (see 1 Kings 18:22).  And then brought it back up to God later, when he was on the run from Queen Jezebel (see 19:14).  The problem is, that's not true.  God informed Elijah that there were at least 7,000 who had not bowed down to the false God, Baal.  SEVEN THOUSAND!  That's a far cry from the 1 that Elijah thought was left.

Many of us grew up with the understanding that hard work & determination was expected of us.  That's a fine foundation, indeed.  But we also need to build upon a foundation of teamwork, camaraderie, and connection.  We aren't called to be "Lone Rangers."  We sometimes think we're the only ones being faithful to God at times.  Nope.  We actually have no idea about the true faithfulness of others.  So we need to stop trying to compare ourselves to others.  Stop feeling sorry for whatever state of life we find ourselves in.  And start trusting that God is at work in MANY MORE places & lives than we can ever imagine.  Let's be humble.  Let's look to collaborate and share ministry (especially among us pastors!).  I think the world will be a much better place.

The benefits of staying awake

[From 8/11/15]

"Now Peter & his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the 2 men who stood with him."

(Luke 9:32)

Jesus takes his 3 closest disciples (friends!) up on the mountain to pray.  Evidently they were praying a long time so they got sleepy (or maybe they get sleepy when praying, like I do!?!).  That happens, right?  That's completely understandable.  However, that's not where the story ends.  They don't take a nap & call it a day.  No.  Luke tells us "but since they had stayed awake..."  They fought through the sleepiness.  And as a result, they saw Jesus' transformation (along with Moses & Elijah!).

I know about sleeping during prayer times.  I also know about fighting to try and stay awake - especially driving long distances (like coming back home to Palmdale from being "down below").  Sometimes we are indeed "weighed down with sleep," but it's not a good time to be sleeping (like when we're supposed to be driving!).  The easy response is to go with it and sleep - but we might miss something God has for us.  

I don't want to sleep through "God moments" here at Palmdale.  I want to be open, alert, and attentive to the movement of God.  How do I do that?  Well, for starters, get sleep when I'm supposed to be sleeping, so I can stay alert when I need to be alert!  That will account for physical sleepiness.  What about spiritual sleepiness?  I know that I need to make the effort to do my personal devotional times each day, so I can be alert to what God might be saying to me through the Scriptures (and throughout my day).

PRAYER: Help me make YOU a part of every day of my life, LORD... so I don't miss a moment of what you have for me.  AMEN.

Soaked in Love

"...So that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places." 

(Ephesians 3:10)

One of the interesting aspects of living in Palmdale is that numerous times during the week, the local newspaper (The Antelope Valley Press) runs regular articles & letters by people of faith.  It comes in the Editorial/Commentary section of the paper.  Almost daily I'll see letters from folks with a religious background/agenda.  But there are a also regular columns by local clergy.  One is very conservative.  Another is more mainline & progressive.  They always draw a lot of commentary afterwards, too!  Though I may not agree with the content, they're very interesting to read.

Paul, in his letter to the church at Ephesus, mentions the role of the church is to convey "the wisdom of God" (in it's rich variety - something not all Christians seem to grasp) to the "rulers & authorities in heavenly places."  That's a pretty clear mandate.  Don't keep God's wisdom to ourselves, but SHARE it with all - especially those in key leadership positions (BTW, I'd love to research what Paul meant by 'authorities in heavenly places'... so intriguing!).

But just a few verses later, Paul reminds us believers that our whole purpose in life is to have Christ dwell in our hearts as we are being "rooted and grounded in love."  Wow.  I love that.  As we share God's wisdom with others, are we soaking it in love or judgment?  Grace or condemnation?  Personally, I want to be rooted & grounded in love.  It sounds like the much better option! ;)

One of the Family

[From August 8, 2015]

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also memebers of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles & prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone."

(Ephesians 2:19-20)

I'm new to California.  I'm officially a resident: got my CA drivers' license, paying rent & utilities, even registered to vote.  But it will wake me a while before I feel like "a Californian."  I'm a US citizen, so I don't have the "outsiders" struggle that many immigrants face.  That's quite a topic of debate and controversy - not just in CA, but all over this country (though especially in the "border states").  Once someone has achieved "citizen" status, they're in!

The Bible uses citizenship language (along with 'resident alien,' 'stranger,' 'sojourner,' etc.).  This is both a literal descriptions (the Hebrews were resident aliens in Egypt, so they know what it's like; thus, they're to have compassion on the resident aliens who live in Israel!)... and a spiritual one.  Paul writes about God's WELCOME & ACCEPTANCE of us as "citizens" of the Kingdom.  Not just citizens, but "members of the household of God."  That's integration, community & family intimacy.  We join all those "saints" who have come before, because of the work of Jesus.

The church, when at our best, is about INCLUSION, not exclusion.  It's about extending God's loving hospitality & welcome to all, not being gatekeepers at the door of grace.  God can take care of that department just fine, should He choose to do so.  In the meantime, thanks be to God for our inclusion & acceptance.  May we extend that same hospitality to others.  All others!

Don't hit snooze!

"Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread."

(Proverbs 20:13)

I just got a new app for my iPhone. It's called "SLEEP SCIENCE."  It not only measures how much deep sleep I get each night, but analyzes my sleep cycles and will wake me up within 30 minutes of when I want to get up, according to the best time in my cycle.  So far, after only 3 days (or nights!), it's interesting... though I'm not sure of it's effects yet.

Sleep is essential to health & life.  Too often people say they need more sleep... or they're tired all the time... or they had a rough night's sleep... etc.  Sometimes we go & go and neglect getting the proverbial "good night's sleep."  But then there are times we choose to sleep more than we may need to (just because it feels so good!).

Proverbs 20:13 says, "Do not love sleep, or else you will come to poverty."  I believe this comes out of a time when hard work & determination were seen as a necessity for survival.  Get up early and put in an honest day's work, and you'll be okay.  Today, however, people are able to make a living by a variety of means (and though a variety of hours)... so it may not be as relevant.  However, it got me thinking...

Almost 3 years ago I made a major change in my daily routine.  I realized I needed to be reading more (especially for my role as a pastor & leader).  So I decided to get up at 6am (instead of 7am) to do professional reading.  Which also meant that I needed to get to bed between 10-11pm each night (and I often would stay up much later, usually watching movies from Netflix!).  Although at times this has been challenging, it's also paid off huge dividends.  I've gotten so many books read, and have grown as a leader and pastor because of it.

So look at your sleeping patterns.  Might you be able to alter them in order to accomplish something more?!?

Love Connection?

"King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the Israelites, 'You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you; for they will surly incline your heart to follow their gods"; Solomon clung to these in love.  Among his wives were 700 princesses and 300 concubines; and his wives turned away his heart."

(1 Kings 11:1-3)

Political alliances have been around since the very beginning.  If neighboring countries share a common interest (or have family members marry into other ruling dynasties), they're less likely to be antagonistic.  Kings & Queens would align themselves with other key families to preserve positive relationships among nations.

Solomon, however, seemed to take this to the extreme.  He amassed 1,000 women in his "family": 700 wives & 300 concubines.  Women from all over!  The wives were mostly princesses (700)... but how many "marriage alliances" does it take to secure a nation?!?!  (Surely 700 is a bit of overkill, right?)  Not to mention the 300 concubines, whom I have to imagine had very little political connection (and were more of attraction-based).  On top of that, God had previously warned his people to avoid intermarrying with certain countries (due to their religious proclivities).  Despite his reputation for wisdom, Solomon ignored this advice.  The author of 1 Kings says that he "clung to these in love."  Which, on the surface, sounds very romantic & noble ("clinging in love"!)... until you remember there were one thousand women he supposedly "loved."

In the end, these women (and Solomon's devotion to and affection for them) led his heart astray.  In order to appease his wives, he built foreign altars and worship spaces for them, thus taking away from the authority of God.  God was not pleased... and eventually removed Solomon from leadership.

So how does this relate to us today?  We no longer live in a time where multiple marriages occur (even among rulers).  I see this, however, as a caution against a prevailing theme in our American culture: "FOLLOW YOUR HEART!"  Let passion take over!  Give in to the feelings of love and romance!  Follow your heart.

Okay.  But what if your heart begins to lead you down paths that may not be wise?  What if it causes you to go against commitments you've made, all in the name of "finding true love" or your "soul mate"?  We need to guard our hearts and allow God to be our guide... not our own passions & desires (which are easily swayed!).  Our lives, hearts and relationships should honor God, not our own whims.  And if Solomon can succumb to this (renowned for his wisdom!), we all need to be on alert.  It could happen to anyone.  Seriously.  Let's allow God to guide our "love connections."

(NOTE: After writing this entry, I got in my car & drove to work.  On the radio (local LA station) I heard a woman tell her story about how, after 24 years of marriage, she accidentally discovered her husband was having an affair with another married woman.  She chose to stick with him & go through marriage counseling together... however, still was dealing with the terrible feelings that come with the choices her husband had made.)

A blank check

"Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good & evil; for who can govern this your great people?"

(1 Kings 3:9)

When David died, his son Solomon succeeded him as king.  One night God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he wanted.  What a question!  God basically gave him a blank check and invited Solomon to write in whatever he wanted.  It could've been wealth & riches, fame & posterity, love & legacy, vengeance & retribution for his enemies, etc.  The sky was the limit!  Instead, Solomon asked for wisdom to lead & govern the people.  And God was pleased with this response.

Following Pastor Jim Powell at Palmdale UMC is kind of like following King David.  Both had an amazing legacy... both were much beloved... both walked closely with God and received God's blessings in abundance.  So what would I ask for if  God gave me a choice?  Financial security for the church (ie. pay off the property loan!)?  To grow the church to double it's current size?  To be able to finish my ministry here (25 more years!)?  To become a renowned preacher?  Those are all tempting, for sure (and would be on my short list of things to ask God for)... but I think Solomon had it right: WISDOM & DISCERNMENT.

This is the largest church I've ever served.  I don't even know what I don't know yet.  There will be challenges in my leadership tenure that will stretch me.  I want God's wisdom, guidance, and discernment.  I want to be able to do what's best for Palmdale UMC - not what's necessarily best (or easiest) for me.  I want to be faithful to God's call on my life to shepherd this community of faith.

So give me wisdom, Lord... as I lead and guide this beloved community of Palmdale UMC.  Help me wait for your leading before moving ahead.  Help me to focus on what's really important here: Your will, not my own.  AMEN.