The Rock

"The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! 

Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!..."

2 Samuel 22:47

It was a rock. Small, brown, with lovely white veining. And it was special because the veining looked just like a cross.

Shelby found it in the river where we had gone to swim. And because I admired it, she gave it to me. I put it in my pocket as we got back to the church and things began to hustle-bustle and I forgot all about it.

We were in Ojeto, Utah in Monument Valley, doing Vacation Bible School at the Navajo United Methodist Church. After dinner and fellowship time, we ended our day with devotions, laying on our backs on a mesa looking at the stars by firelight. Beyond amazing.

I fell into bed, which was a cot with a sleeping bag and tossed and turned all night trying to get comfortable on that thing. Tomorrow was our last day in Ojeto and I was bound and determined to get up early enough to get out on the mesa to see the sunrise.

At 6 am, armed with a hot cup of coffee and my Bible, I trekked on out and found a quiet place to sit so I could watch, read, and pray. After watching this incredible event, seeing the world start a new day, I opened my Bible, but wasn't sure what to read. I decided, since I was basically sitting on a rock, I would check my concordance and read about rocks.

So the thing about rocks, especially big ones, is that they don't move. They sit in all kinds of weather --- beautiful serene weather and wild loud storms. No matter how hard the wind blows they don't move. I read that God was my rock, my deliverer, and I realized He was solid, unmovable, unchangeable and He offered protection.

"There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God. ..."

1 Samuel 2:2

On my way back to the church I explained all this to a friend thinking that God had given me a message and I needed to share it.

When I got back to my unmade bed, covers twisted every which way, there, on the very top, right in the middle sat the rock from the river. I have no idea how it got there... fell out of my pocket? How did it not fall off the bed in the middle of the night? I will never know. No matter. All I know is this, that rock confirmed my thoughts of His words directly spoken to me. And now I share them with you.

Linda Tomlinson

Begrudging His Generosity

Read the text Rev. Bonnie Osteen preached from this last Sunday: Matthew 20:1-19.
No Bible? Click the Scripture reference to read online.

Pastor Bonnie revealed the ungrateful nature and self-centered attitude of the workers hired early in the day, the ones who agreed to work for a day's wage. They complained when they received their wages, because the workers who worked a much shorter time got the same pay they did.

Does this seem fair to you? Does it make you want to complain?

The Master answered these grumblers with truth:

"Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 

Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 

Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? 

Or do you begrudge my generosity?"

Matthew 20:13-15 ESV

The Master can do whatever He wants with what He has. He can be as generous as He wants with whom He wants.

The fact that we complain when we perceive things as unfair, reveals a heart begrudging His generosity. It's good when He is generous with us, but not so great when we are on the short end of the stick.

A heart that complains does need to learn gratitude, but I also think it needs to learn to trust God in all He allows and in all He blesses with His grace. Because He is the Master, not only of the vineyard but of the entire world.

"I will make my goodness pass before you

and will proclaim before you my name 'The Lord.'

And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious,

and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. ..."

Exodus 33:19 ESV

Do you begrudge His generosity?

Take it to Him. Ask Him to reveal the bitter root taking hold of your heart. Ask Him to remove whatever keeps you from an attitude of gratitude whether His favor pours out in your life or on that of another.

Lord, help me to recognize Your generosity as a joyful and good thing no matter who You are blessing. Fill me with the faith to trust You with whatever You choose to give. May I overflow with thanksgiving and grateful praise!

Carol Weaver

Monday morning story...

I thought about it some, the challenge Pastor Bonnie gave at the end of her sermon.  How we might share our faith story with someone this week.  Monday morning rolls around and honestly by that time I hadn't given one more thought to the challenge.

After all I had a lot to do.   Read over the lesson for Readiness school chapel was first on the list.  Joseph is the theme for this week and so I reminded myself of the story, got ready for work, gathered my computer and guitar and off I went.  I began to read Joseph's story among my circle of tiny friends.  We sang songs and prayed.  Worshipping with preschoolers is the best way to begin a week.

Now I'm off to staff meeting.  We sit and chat a moment and then she asks, "Stacy, do you have the devotional ready?"  My heart sinks as I realize I've forgotten something.  This is not a way to impress your new leader.  (Secretly I'm blaming Di because she always reminds me of these things, but not this time.)   In that moment, after confessing my forgetfulness, I go to get the story I had just shared with the preschoolers.  I know what you're thinking.  Yes, this is a grown-up staff meeting and yes, I should have prepared some theological, devotional full of adult words.  But something struck me as I read it with the kids the first time, so maybe I should share it.  Maybe that was God's plan all along. 

In this version, right before Joseph's brothers show up to purchase grain the author writes about how God's plan was to save his family from famine.  How he used Joseph to rescue them.  From my point of view Joseph's life was pretty tough.  He was sold, imprisoned and thought to be dead by his father. It seemed at every turn Joseph faced a difficulty he couldn't get around on his own.  We get so focused on his part in the story we forget that in the midst of slavery and wrongful imprisonment, there stands a hero in the making. That hero rescued the nation God was building through Abraham.

Staff meeting continues into lunch.  Not really, we just like to go out and eat together and fellowship as friends.  We talked about kids and life over burgers and salads.  Somehow the discussion turns to our church's experience as a Red Cross shelter.  How members served in the early morning hours, and others slept on cots at the front door.  We talked about the need for taking food provided and in some way creating something edible.  We remembered the people and the pain they went through as they returned to tell loved ones their home was destroyed.  Pastor Bonnie listens and then she says, "Hey, we are sharing our faith stories."

In that moment I realized faith stories happen in our lives all the time.  Every moment of everyday is an opportunity to live out your faith story and share it with others.  My Monday morning suddenly became a part of my story.  The preparation to teach and the opportunity to worship.  God leading when I had forgotten to prepare the devotional.  Breaking bread with friends over lunch. 

This is my story.  Won't you share yours?

From This to That... It's a Process...

Acts 9:10-19 inspired Rev. Bonnie Osteen's sermon last Sunday.

Take a moment to read it now. If you don't have a Bible with you, click the Scripture reference to read it online at BibleGateway.com.

In her message, Pastor Bonnie focused on the transformation taking place in Saul that caused him to become Paul. Zealous persecutor of the Way to faithful church-planter and New Testament writer.

She took us back to consider the first question Saul asked on the road to Damascus when he heard the Lord call his name: Who are you, Lord? and compared it with Ananias's response when the Lord called his name: Here I am, Lord.

We see one who does not know the Lord and another who knows Him well enough to make himself available for His use. Both of these men had encounters with God. Both at different points in their faith. Each living out a faith story.

Ananias hears the Lord's command but then hesitates in fulfilling it...

But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."

Acts 9:13-14

Basically, Ananias questions Jesus's knowledge and understanding of the situation: Look, I don't know about this. I've heard from some reliable people that this guy is bad news! 

Ananias questions the Lord's authority and power: You know this Saul guy has authority from the chief priests to arrest anyone who believes in You.

Hmmmm. Ananias may have been ready to say, Here I am, Lord, but then he heard what the Lord wanted him to do. Suddenly, he began to doubt all he knew about Jesus. Ananias still had a lot of growing to do to get from this to that.

All Believers have a story where we encounter the Lord for the first time and have grown to some point where we are ready to say Yes to Him.

Ananias shows us we don't move from unbeliever to completely-sold-out-follower-of-Christ-walking-perfectly-in-His Way over night. It's a process.

The process of coming to know Him to growing in Him is our faith story. A series of faith stories, really, making up the whole. Our stories continue to be written everyday with every choice we make each time we hear Him call our name.

Pastor Bonnie challenged us on Sunday to share our faith story with someone this week. A challenge that inspired Grow Team to offer a place on the blog for you to share your story.

Every Friday, from now until Advent will be Faith Story Friday. The first one has already been written and will appear this Friday.

Let us hear from you. Email your story to stacy@jacksonvillemethodist.org and we'll post it here.

We are all in process, growing from this to that. Help others grow by sharing what you've experienced on your journey.

Finding Rest

This past Sunday Rev. Bonnie Osteen graced the pulpit at FUMC for the first time.

She delivered her message from Matthew 11:25-30.

Take a moment to read it now. If you can't reach a Bible, click the Scripture reference above to read online.

Even before the preaching began, a verse captured my attention...

...no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone

to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

Matthew 11:27 ESV

Having loved ones who still don't know Father or Son weighs heavy on my heart from day to day. And here is a truth regarding the mystery of faith. A basis for prayer...

Dear Lord, please, choose my loved ones.

Open their eyes. Reveal Yourself to them.

In her sermon, Pastor Bonnie emphasized Jesus's invitation.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 ESV

She gave examples of things we may need to rest from. Things that separate us from Him. Busyness. Anger. Resentment. Worry. Judgment.

As I bring my thoughts back to this passage, I realize the burden for loved ones makes me weary. Its constant presence effects faith, fuels doubt. 

I am in need of rest.

Jesus, I come to You now at Your invitation. I am burdened and weary.

The root of my weariness comes from not fully trusting You.

I choose to take Your yoke upon me. Teach me. Bring rest to my soul.

Amen.

What do you need to rest from?

Take it to Him in prayer.

Carol Weaver

Living Love

Preaching from a passage in Romans, Rev. Enid Shepard reminded us Sunday what it means to genuinely love.

Read the passage now: Romans 12:9-21. 
[If you don't have a Bible near, click the Scripture reference to read online at BibleGateway.com.]

It is the call and command of every Christian, every Christ follower, to love.

"This is my commandment, that you love one another

as I have loved you...." ---Jesus

John 15:12 ESV

According to the Word heard Sunday and what you just read:

     Love must be genuine, real. No pretense allowed. No faking it.

     We are to hate evil, hold fast to good. Discernment is a big part of living love.

     The body of Believers loves each other as their own flesh and blood family.

     We are called to outdo one another when it comes to giving honor. Be respectful, to everyone. Consider others better than yourself.

     Making excuses or procrastinating when it comes to serving the Lord is not allowed. Love Him with a fervent spirit of obedience.

     Believers always rejoice in hope. Living love trusts Him with the power to work all things for our good and His glory. No matter what the current circumstances look like.

     We are called to be patient in the midst of trouble and suffering. Love trusts that He is at work in the pain. Love trusts His sovereignty to allow only that which He will use for ultimate good.

     Love prays constantly. Prayer expresses love for Him when we seek Him in relationship through praise, thanksgiving, or just sitting in His presence. Praying for others reveals our love for them by asking God to intervene in their lives.

     A trademark of Christians is generous giving to Believers in need and graciously opening our homes to others. Compassion and an inviting spirit reflect genuine love.

     We are called to bless those who persecute or harass us; bless and do not curse. Living love requires doing good, desiring good for those who do no good to us.

     Rejoicing with those who rejoice, a sign of love. Resist envy. Be happy with and for those who have what you want but never seem to get.

     Living love calls us to weep with those who weep. Resist the temptation to walk away from an uncomfortable situation. Love enters into the grief of others to comfort with our presence.

     We are called to live in harmony with one another. We, in the church, should all be for one another. Working toward the same goal of loving Him and others through the gospel.

     Pride and haughtiness have no place in a heart of love. In His sight we are all the same. Living love requires eyes like His. Everyone worth dying for.

     We are never to be wise in our own eyes. Love is humble and seeks answers from Him not from self.

     We are to resist repaying evil with evil. Love seeks to do what is honorable in the sight of all --- even those who commit evil.

     If it is possible, if it is in our power to make it so, live peaceably with all. Seek peace without compromising truth and integrity. Speak the truth in love.

     We are never to avenge ourselves. Leave it to Him. Trust Him to take care of our hurts and injustices. He will do it. Release those who've injured you to Him.

     Contrary to the world, we are to love our enemies: if they are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink. Make them crazy with kindness.

     Never be overcome by the evil in this world, but overcome evil with good. Love remembers all evil is based on lies and those who have been entangled by its deception need a Savior. Love remembers: Good has already won.

The Word in Romans tells us explicitly how to love God and others. How to love Believers and unbelievers. How to love both friends and enemies. These aren't optional, they are God's commands to His people.

This is love for God: to obey his commands.

And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone

born of God overcomes the world.

1John 1:3-4 NIV84

We cannot live love on our own. Only in Him.

How well are you living love?


Carol Weaver