Where has the time gone? I don't remember...

It's something how we sometimes put off what we know we should be doing. It's still the case with this blog. I just noticed that it's been another couple of months since I last wrote. Yet it's not that I haven't written but rather all that has happened in that period of time that could have been marked. As I think about this small time period, what is there that has happened in the past year of my life, in the last decade, in the last 45 years that I haven't marked and as a result that I may have forgotten about? They say it's a great idea to journal for a number of reasons such as clearing one's head. I remember when I went on a trip to visit my aunt and uncle out in California in the 6th grade that I wrote a journal of the daily activities. I didn't much like it then but now, some 30 plus years later, I can look at those few pages and remember things long forgotten.

I carried this habit on a mission trip to Haiti and while I remember the big points of the experience, the journal allows me to remember other things as well. That's the purpose of this blog, or at least that was the intention, to recount, recall, record, and respond to things that were happening in the ministry to which God had called me in Belfast, Maine. So what's been happening you might ask since I last wrote?
1) We had a great season of Lent though I feel I fell far short on my goal of taking negativity out of my comments to others.
2) The ecumenical Good Friday service was great as it seemed that the various pastors were connected and trusting in the words that they shared. I felt fed over and over again.
3) I went to pick up my youngest Matthew from college. What a great experience of sharing time with your children. We parked in the back alley and carried things down two floors of stairs, shared lunch at a mexican restaurant, and had some great conversations on the long ride home, not to mention sharing a Portland Sea Dogs game with my parents before we unloaded the trailer at 11pm so that he could sleep late the next day! God blesses us in so many ways.
4) My wife got the lay off notice that we had been expecting but they gave her three months to close down the travel agency. The great news is that she stops working two days before I go on my renewal leave!!! We are going to spend three months together and it'll certianly be a good thing for our relationship! Belize, Turkey, and then resting at a camp...
5) I finally broke down and wrote on my blog. Nuff said on that one.

How do we remember the many blessings that God has given us? Where do we record our challenges and God's presence in their midst? We have been given a written document that was formed over many years and contains not all of the stories but some very important ones that can help us to see God's presence in all aspects of our lives. Is the Bible a blog of the early church? Is it a writing that calls us to remember, to consider, to reflect upon, to grow through? Just something to consider????

One of the ways that I record what's been happening in my life of abundant blessings is in pictures. This one helps me to remember a fun evening, a special time, a priceless gift! I don't know if we one that night but I certainly felt like I'd won!!

five notes that unite us in the Amazing Grace of God!

Listen now to the story behind the tune of Amazing Grace. We may know who wrote the words, but what is the real story behind the tune. Turn the volume up and enjoy learning a little about our heritage, about the freedom that five simple notes offer to all of us!

THE BIBLE EXPERIENCE

Wow! Talk about experiencing the Word of God in a powerful way! What do you think? This is available from many different stores and websites including Amazon.

212 degrees - The Extra Degree

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Little Johny's Dam project!

This is so cool! I've been stuck for the longest time trying to get video onto my blog and without any success. As a result, I've ignored the simple approach of writing with words and still pictures. In essence, because I could not get one thing to work, I let all things go. In our lives, how often do we let one small challenge block us from accomplishing our overall goal?
How often in our faith journey do we let the words of one person distract us hearing the real Word? Do we let one slip prevent us from walking on? Do we beat ourselves for something that God can forgive and help us to grow from so that we can move on with Christ? I feel like a stream that had been blocked by little Johny's dam of twigs and mud but now I've broken through it and can go on with a great rush of excitement and freedom. How weird is that? I think awesome is a better word! Watch out blog world, I've got video, I've got pictures, I've got words!!!

I feel like I am on the top of the world!

Walking with Jesus

Ok! I must confess that I have broken one “walking with Jesus” bracelet and am now onto my second! I thought it would be so easy to do after living without sweets the last few Lents. But no it’s not, and had I not had time to recover, my wrists would both have red marks from the changing of my bracelet back and forth so many times!
Confused? Before Lent started, I decided that I would try to give up negative sarcasm and comments towards others. Borrowing an idea from a similar project in the Midwest, I figured I would get a “walking with Jesus” rubber bracelet to wear and remind me of my commitment. I went to Oriental Trader, found I could buy 12 of the bracelets for less than $5 (maybe I could get some folks to join me) and waited for them to arrive in the mail (I actually ended up ordering 36 because it was such a great deal!). When the bracelets arrived I chose one with bright pink, green, and yellow colors as opposed to the green, white, and red ones, which reminded me too much of Christmas candy. I put it on my wrist and quickly realized how snug it was. “I’d better be very careful or this could be a real issue I thought to myself.”
On Ash Wednesday I began my journey through Lent. When I was alone or with only a few folks, I found that I didn’t have to move it much from wrist to wrist. However, when I got in a crowd, my sarcastic somewhat biting humor would act up and I’d move it far too frequently. I quickly decided that each time I moved my bracelet, recognizing that I had been unkind, I would ask for forgiveness as well as pray for the person or incident that I had “attacked”. I found it to be humbling to be praying so often and yet freeing to see that there was an alternative to making one of my “comments”. I also found myself searching for different words to correct someone or to make a joke. By the first week, I was moving it less frequently and feeling pretty good about the whole thing.
Then it happened! In the midst of a changeover, right in the soul of one of the little footprints, the bracelet gave way! It was not strong enough to handle my sins! What would I do? I quickly moved to the basket where I was sure there were some left. Nothing! I still had over 30 days to go, what would I do? My first action was to order more bracelets (I think the reason they put 12 in one bag is they knew what I was going to be doing with them and realized I would need more than one!) and then wait. It was interesting to wait. I looked around and saw a number of folks who were wearing “walking with Jesus” bracelets and I wondered what they were walking with during Lent. I also found that without the bright colors and the snug fit, I was slipping back into some old habits. Oh how easy that is to do!
But then a new day began when a box with 48 “walking with Jesus” bracelets arrived. I quickly broke them out of the bags and chose the one I wanted to wear (I also put an extra one in my office desk for emergencies!). The new one was still snug, still bright, still a great reminder. It’s only been a couple of days but I am trying again (some folks say I can be very trying! Oops, hold on a second while I say a little prayer…). I’ve decided not to move the bracelet each time but rather to touch it, ask forgiveness, and offer a prayer for the person or situation. I like feeling again the freedom that I had experienced before. My goal though is not just to make it through Lent without breaking another bracelet (I am not sure my psyche could take it!) but rather to change my life and the way I deal with others.
Don’t worry, I recognize that the bracelet is just that, something that goes around my wrist but for now, it is helping me to be closer to Christ as I continue to strive for perfection in love (John Wesley said we should all do that from the moment we give our lives to Christ until we return home to glory where all is perfect!) The reality is that God provides us with many symbols and comforts to help us along our way. It might be a friend, a scripture verse, a Bible study, a song, or any of many other things. However, as I have been reminded (especially as I waited for my new bracelet!), it’s not any of those things that will change my life. Only through my time of prayer as well as my openness to God will I be changed (transformed is a better word!). God simply provides these many things, as we need them, because we need them, as we discover more and more how we need God. How great is that!?

Shalom,
David

How do we want to be remembered...

The power of words... When we tell someone we love them, if it is from the heart, those words can bring healing, hope, and joy. When we state that we hate someone or something, whether it's just an expression or a true emotion, we are taking those very things away. Maybe we do have a reason to hate but is that how we want to be remembered? Even if it's only a passing comment, people will remember us for saying them.

When we think of folks like George Wallace, the former governor of Alabama, or Pat Robertson the television evangelist, or Jimmy "the Greek" a former commentator for televised football, do we remember their many good words or those words that evoked anger, hurt, suffering, or confusion? Those words that the spoke that relegated another person or group of people to less than equal status.

A young man had an issue of saying negative things to people. As a result, very few people wanted to hang out with him. To help him break the habit, one of his remaining friends suggested that each time he wanted to say something negative he should get his hammer and a nail and pound it into a board behind his garage. Desperate to change, the young man agreed. As they lived side-by-side, the friend watched as the young man took many trips each day with hammer and nail in hand. However, after a couple of weeks, the young man began making fewer trips until about a month later he rarely went behind the garage. His friend asked him how things were going and the young man's attitude was completely different. "I feel so much better about myself and others. What a great idea you had. I think I'm going to through the board away as I don't need it anymore."

His friend put up his hand and said, "Here's a better idea. Every time you say something nice to someone whom you have hurt in the past, go out back and take a nail out of the board." The young man said he would give it a try and while at first the trips were few, about 2 weeks later he was going out back frequently and the smile he wore on his face as well as the skip in his step revealed the positive power of this exercise.

One day the young man appeared at his door with an empty board. "I've done it," said the young man. "Near the end I even was intentional to make sure that I said something positive to those whom I had hurt in the past. My last nail was removed after I apologized to a friend for something I had said. Thanks for helping me!"

The friend said that the lesson was not yet over. He then took the board and showed him where all the nails had once been. "This board was smooth before you began and though you've removed all of the negative nails, you can see the impression they left behind."

In our hands, words can be nails. They can leave a mark that though an apology has been made will always leave a mark. I know that I have hammered too many people in my life. I've pounded some in place while others were softly tapped, hoping not to be noticed. As Lent approaches, a time of intentional reflection on our faith journey with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit, I've decided that rather than give up sweets, as I have done for years, I am going to try and give out sweets, as in words that I use to describe, or communicate with, others. They are far better for the soul and they can also guide me as I experience God's presence in everyone I meet. I guess it's sort of humbling to think that since Christ is in each person, every time I use a negative expression, I am hammering a nail into Christ.

I know I will fail may times in my effort but I also believe that as I spend less time walking towards the back of the garage, I will be able to spend more time sharing the grace and love of God that Christ offers me.

Boy, that was a heavy one! Enjoy the day and don't get nailed!!!

It's been a week since I first began and much has happened. I've returned from my two weeks at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC. It was great to be there, to listen, to learn, to experience, but nothing beats being home in Belfast Maine!

While in DC we ate at a variety of places including Tex-Mex, Korean, Soul, Ethiopian, and of course McDonald's for breakfast on the weekend. Unfortunately I didn't run to compensate for the big meals and this past week at home I've been trying to lose what I had gained.

I enjoy the diversity of the big city though I am awed with how easily someone can get lost or disappear without anyone else noticing. How horrible that must be to have so many people going by and not even being noticed. Sure there are some folks that turn everyone's head but many more of us who don't even cause an eyebrow to be raised.

Jesus talked of seeking out the lost sheep and many times I've thought of it as someone who had gone astray or lost their way. What if they haven't but we've just ignored them and simply walked away, not realizing they were left behind? How many sheep have we lost because we weren't looking for them?

The sad thing is that this doesn't happen just in big cities but also in small towns and even in families. How can we make a difference?

Day one...

It's the first day of the blog and I have no idea what will end up in this space. Mostly I am hoping to reflect on my ministry as the pastor of the Belfast United Methodist Church in Belfast, Maine as well as observations that I see in life around me. I've been reading a book on short story experiences in a person's life and I hope this will be the same type of space. Let's see what happens...