Out the Door

February 20 Message: Unstuck: A New View of You

With a distorted self-perception we remain stuck in our problems, but when we see ourselves as God sees us the possibilities are endless.  Gideon learned this lesson while he was hiding from the Midianites.  He saw himself as a cowardly nobody, but God saw his as a mighty warrior who had the power to deliver God's people. 

A Majority of Retired Bishops Don't Want to See Church's Stance Changed

Fifty-two retired bishops refused to join with other retired bishops in calling for the United Methodist Church to change its stance on homosexuality.  That represents more than a 60% majority. 

UM News Service reported:
Florida Area Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker said he supports the denomination's basic position.  "It's in agreement with Scripture and ecumenical Christian tradition in the broadest sense," he said.  "We have the Church--with a capital C--in many different cultural settings, and in those different cultural settings, there are different understandings of human sexuality.  I think in making its decisions, the Church must be mindful of its responsibility to its members in all its cultural seetings and not just select ones."

It's comforting to know that a majority of the retired bishops have not caved into the American cultural understanding of sexuality and realize that to do so would cause great upheaval within the United Methodist Church.  But then for those who have, causing upheaval is their aim.  They care nothing for the majority of United Methodists who support the church's belief that "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching," and are willing to sacrifice millions of faithful UM's on the altar of political correctness. 

We should give thanks for our retired bishops who are willing uphold their vow to defend the church's teachings.  Let us pray that all who are in leadership understand that they share in this responsibility.

 

February 13 Message: Unstuck: Rising Up with Renewed Purpose

It's been said that a rut is a grave with the ends knocked out.  By reaching out to Jesus as he reaches out to us, letting go of the past, and rising up with renewed purpose we can get out of the rut and really live. 

The message is available in both video and audio formats. 

Words Matter

My father used to tell me, “You can judge a man by the shine on his shoes.”  I was a teenager at the time and polishing my shoes wasn’t a priority.  Since that time I’ve seen wisdom in his words.  I certainly don’t believe that someone’s character can be judged by the condition of a person’s footwear.  But it is true, for better or worse, that people often judge us by our appearance.  Indeed, God said to the prophet Samuel, “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7; NIV)  If we only look at the outward appearance of someone, we will never know anything about who they truly are.  However, there is a way by which we can get a glimpse into a person’s character and that is by the words they use.

While only God knows exactly what is in a person’s heart, Jesus said someone’s words reveal much about the condition of that person heart.  He said, "Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. The food that you put into your mouth doesn't make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean….The words that come out of your mouth come from your heart. And they are what make you unfit to worship God.”  (Matthew 15:10-11 & 18; MSG)

WOW! Our words can make us unfit to worship God!  It’s not because words themselves are evil, but rather because our words reveal what’s in our heart.  When our words are used to tear down or disparage another, it shows that there is something unclean in our heart.  When we hear someone putting down and ridiculing another that tells us more about the person who is speaking that the person being spoken about.

That’s why Paul says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:29-30; NIV)

I dare say that all of us, most certainly myself included, have grieved the Holy Spirit by saying things that put people down rather that building them up.  Thank God there is forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  He is always ready to forgive us and give us another chance.  Therefore, let us not take God’s graciousness for granted and having known God’s forgiveness, let us pay attention to the words we speak and write.  Let us make sure we are building up rather than tearing down.  Then what Paul told the Thessalonians will be true for us as well, “Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:11; NIV)