all shall be well

"The Monkhood of All Believers" Part One

2010-08-02T11:21:00.002-04:00

Previously, I explored the concept that an effective model for the Church in the 21st century could be that of the monastic life--where each person might have a "cell," or a quiet place to which s/he may retire to confront the temptations and trials of life. But monasticism is not just about individual fulfillment. From the early days, monks realized that they needed to band together, to live a common life bound by a common rule, in order to survive.

I think that this necessity to be in covenant or intentional community is essential to Christian life in general. I was reflecting on this thought this morning, and another thought occurred to me: Christianity, or the Way of Christ, is at it's core monastic or communal in nature. Think about it--Jesus called twelve men (and later, women who were named among the early Disciples), who lived with him, ate meals with him, prayed with him, slept in the same room...they did everything in community, bound together by their common devotion to the Master. This led me to the thought that monasticism (or covenant life, call it whatever you want) is inherently part of Christianity, and that, even if monasticism had not been invented in the early Church, it would still have found a way to be a part of Christian history. That is to say, if the early Abbas and Ammas had never wandered out to the desert, if Pachomius had never gathered together his monks, if Benedict and Dominic and Francis and Clare and Xavier and others had somehow all managed to never exist, that monastic life would still have emerged from within Christianity.

There is something about the story of Jesus and his disciples, something about the life they led and the impact they had on the world, that leads us to want to be in community. Eventually, as the book of Acts tells us, the Church expanded beyond this first group of disciples, and the evangelistic mission spread the faith to so many that it was impractical for everyone to "have all things in common." So, it was decided that it was o.k. for some to live "secular" lives--farming, making useful things, raising families, etc., while others would live the monastic life "on behalf" of the Church.

I think the time has come to re-imagine that concept. While not everyone is called to the hard-core, out-in-the-desert-wildnerness kind of monastic life, everyone who calls him/herself a Christian should be invovled in some kind of covenant community (a church, a cell group, an accountability group, a discipleship group...whatever). Covenant community is who we are, it is part of our DNA, and frankly, it's how we grow.

Reading the section in Justo Gonzalez's The Story of Christianity (Volume 1) this morning, I came across this passage: "A surprising fact about the entire process of admission to the Pachomian communities (early monastic communities) is that many of the candidates who appeared at the gages and were eventually admitted had to be catchechized and baptized, for they were not Christians. This gives an indication of the enourmous attraction of the desert in the fourth century, for even pagans saw in monasticism a style of life worth living." (pg. 146)

What might the "monkhood of all believers" look like? How might the Church begin to organize and function under a system in which everyone is expected to be a part of a common life in some way? Wesleyan Christianity may hold part of the answer, but I think it may even be more ecumenical and wide-ranging than that. I suspect that a new wave of Christian community is called for, which is just now beginning to be expressed in the emerging/emergent movement, and may evolve into something completely new and surprising before we're through.

Stay tuned,

David

"Go to your cell..." Part 2

2010-07-18T18:29:00.003-04:00

The desert saints used to say, "Go to your cell, and your cell will teach you everything you need to know." The idea was that the temptations a monk faced within his cell--laziness, lust, greed--and the pains that could be found therein--hunger, thirst, loneliness--would teach him to rely fully on God for his sustenance and salvation. Isolation served, for the Abbas and Ammas of the desert, and for their faithful followers, as a teaching tool that helped them to truly prize communion with Christ above all other things. In later monastic movements, this led to the notion, popular among some, that the monastic (and especially the cloistered) life was preferable to the every day life of the laity. This idea is actually contrary to what the desert monks would have said. While they would probably recommend the monastic life for all, they also would recognize that the life the monks of the desert led was essential for the lives lived by the laity, and vice versa. If all were monks who prayed in their cells all day, how would any have food to eat? If everyone worked in the fields without regard to prayer, how would we have the deep teachings of those who had spent much time with God?

The first real lesson of the early Abbas and Ammas is that it takes both work and prayer to make life work. For we who live in the 21st century, it is essential that we see this as a call for each of us to be engaged in both of these activities--recognizing that there will still be people who will do only one or the other, or who will major in either work or prayer while devoting a small portion of time to the other activity. For you and me, though, it's a call to "pray without ceasing," in the sense that we should bathe ourselves in prayer each day so that everything we ultimately do is a part of our prayer life. This pattern reminds me of the Iona community of Scotland, who begin their day with prayer, but do not end the prayer service with a benediction. Instead, the service ends at the point where you might expect the sermon, followed by the offering. At the end of the day, the service picks up essentially where it left off, and ends with the benediction. In this way, the day of work becomes worship...our daily activities become our daily bread, dedicated to God, and consecrated for the use of others for edification and witness.

The second lesson I think we need to learn from the desert saints is that we all need a cell. Notice that I didn't say we all need something to isolate us from others. We already do this in many ways in our modern Western culture. What we all need is a cell-- a place where we can go, even if it is for a few moments, to connect with our Source of life and faith. Maybe what we really need is to be able to carry our "cells" around with us--in our hearts and minds--so that wherever we are, we can create space for silence, meditation and reflection. If I could come up with a phrase to encapsulate what I mean, I think I would call it, "The Monkhood of All Believers." Each of us is called, in our own ways, to retreat to our "cells" in order to learn there the lessons that God has to teach us. And because we live in a world where violence, greed, envy and a whole host of other sins abounds, we are standing in the tradition of the desert Abbas and Ammas, St. Cuthbert and so many others, by going to the hardest places on earth and building there sanctuaries dedicated to a life with God.

Tune in again, I think there's probably more to be said about this.

Blessings,

David

"Go to your cell..." Wisdom from the Desert Abbas and Ammas, Part 1

2010-07-17T10:14:00.003-04:00

Last month, at the East Ohio Annual Conference session at Lakeside, Ohio, the Keynote speaker for the "Day Apart" on health and healing made mention of the desert fathers, or Abbas, of the early Church. What he said was essentially this (and I am paraphrasing here): "What the desert monks did failed, because people need to be in community to be healthy." Or something like that. And I would agree with him, if I didn't know anything about the Desert Fathers, if I thought that they actually did live in total isolation from others, and if I believed that success and health were defined completely by numbers and institutions built (which I don't).

Let me address these one by one:

1. The Desert Fathers: The Abbas of the desert were not "running away" from the world, as their detractors often state (wrongly). In fact, a good argument could be made that the Abbas, and those who stand in their tradition, were "running to" the very place where they are needed the most. For the early Christians, the desert represented a place of temptation, a place where one would have to confront his/her worst nightmares, and the best daydreams the human mind can conjure up. Fast forward to the Middle Ages in England, and you encounter St. Cuthbert, who went with his monks Lindisfarne and the other Farne islands, not to get away from the world, but to battle the greatest forces of evil in their times. The Farne islands were reputed places of Druidic worship, and human sacrifice to the gods. Thus, Cuthbert and his monks were moving in ot the neighborhood where people didn't value the lives of their fellow human beings, and slaughter was happening to innocent people. Its 21st century equivalent would be moving into the inner-city, right into the neighborhood where the most drive-bys and drug deals were going down. The Abbas (and Ammas, or Desert Mothers), confronted evil and oppression with the most powerful force they could muster--their daily prayers and sacrifices. They are examples of non-violent resistance and unconditional love without peer in our history.

2. The Desert Saints Lived in Total Isolation: Not. In fact, though the Abbas and Ammas lived individually in their rooms or "cells," they did not live completely away from community. There is evidence that these saints did prize the severity of their living conditions, and the "aloneness" of their accommodations, they were never so far away from one another that they didn't have any contact with one another, or with the outside world. There are countless stories in the "Sayings of the Fathers" about the monks spending time together in prayer, worship, teaching and study. My impression of them is that they lived in a community of caring and concern, and welcomed visitors who were truly interested in their way of life. They provided food for one another, counseled each other, and prayed for the needs of the entire community.

3. The definitions of "failure" and "success": If, by "failure," you mean that the Desert Fathers and Mothers are no longer a viable Christian movement, then yes, they failed miserably. I don't know of anyone today who chooses to move to the desert in order to grow in their spiritual faith (though I am willing to admit that there might be some who do). If, on the other hand, you look at the long-term impact of the teaching and example of the Abbas and Ammas, you will see that their experiment in solitary-yet-communal living was a raging success. They inspired later generations, like Benedict and Francis, to create the monastic orders that still exist today, which have grown and influenced the Church and the world. And, I would submit, they provide an example for us about how to live faithful Christian lives in the 21st century.

But that will have to wait for another post.

Desertedly Yours,

David

Long Time, No Post...

2010-07-17T10:10:00.001-04:00

It's been several months since I've posted here, but it's not because I haven't thought of it! I've thought of several things that I wanted to post here on the blog, but they've all been put on little slips of paper and tucked away somewhere. That means that when I do get around to posting, I'll have lots of stuff!

I've been like this in the past with journals and other types of regular writing--sometimes, I just need to take a break!

So, I'm back...and this spot will be for my own personal thoughts, while the church blog, which can be found at www.nilesfirstumc.webs.com, will be for sermon thoughts and church business stuff.

Blessings,

David

Chistmas Eve at Niles First UMC

2009-12-01T10:14:00.003-05:00

Join Us for Christmas Eve!

Candelight/Communion Service

December 24, 2009

8:00 p.m.

Niles First United Methodist Church

608 N. Crandon Avenue

(Next to Washington School)

Childcare will be provided for birth-5 years old!

Christmas Carols, Candelight, Communion,

and the Re-telling of the story of the First Christmas.

See you there!

January Event 2010

2009-12-01T10:10:00.003-05:00

You are invited to join us in East St. Louis, Illinois, January 5-7, 2010 for the North Central Jurisdiction (UMC) Urban/Town & Country Network Annual Training Event.

This year's theme is: "The Unopened Gift: Recognizing and Receiving the Gifts of Others." We will be focusing on how churches can welcome guests and recognize the unique gifts that each new person in the congregation brings with them. Keynote speaker will be Vance Ross, Deputy General Secretary of the General Board of Discipleship. Preacher will be Bishop Gregory Palmer, Bishop of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Registration forms are available online for download. Go to: www.eocumc.com, click on "Events Calendar," and find the event's date: January 5-7. By clicking on the event, you can download the registration flyer.

I hope to see you there!

Blessings,

David

Family Promise Featured on WYTV

2009-06-29T11:47:00.002-04:00

Family Promise of Mahoning Valley (also known as Interfaith Hospitality Network, of which our church is a part) was featured last week on WYTV, channel 33. Here's a link to the story, along with a video of the spot that was featured on the 6 p.m. broadcast last Tuesday.

Televisually yours,

David

VBS Registration

2009-06-22T09:51:00.002-04:00

You can now register online for our Vacation Bible School 2009! The theme this year is "Crocodile Dock: Where Fearless Kids Shine God's Light"

Online registration is at: http://www.groupvbs.com/webtoybox/myvbs/1umc

Hope to see you there!

The Spiritual Practice of Prayer

2009-06-14T07:39:00.002-04:00

Here are some suggestions for prayer postures and ways to pray that you might want to try out this week (or in future weeks. . .)

Types of Prayer:

ACTS Prayer:
Adoration (Give glory to God)
Confession (Say sorry for sins)
Thanksgiving (Give thanks for blessings)
Supplication (Pray for yourself and others’ needs)

Meditation:
Focus on an object, picture, word from scripture, or phrase (such as “Glory be to God”)
Be silent and still and ask God to speak to you.
Relax your body, mind, and spirit.

Grace:
Giving thanks to God before a meal.

Offices:
Daily Prayers said at specific times of day
Examples can be found in The United Methodist Hymnal, pages 876-879

Psalms:
The book of Psalms in the Bible was originally a prayer book for the Jewish people.

Intercessions:
Prayer for and in behalf of other people.
Consider praying for people you know, people at school or work, people in your church, and people who have important responsibilities in society.

Blessings:
Prayers to bring God’s blessing to people, places, or things.
Blessings usually include an action that accompanies them (laying hands on a sick person, for example, or placing oil on a person’s forehead in the sign of the cross).

Free Prayer:
Just offering your thoughts and feelings to God without any special formula can be a type of prayer!

Prayer Postures:

Orans:
An ancient posture for Christian prayer.
Usually done standing, with face turned upward or out toward a congregation/group of people.
Hands outstretched and palms facing:
Upward, for prayers of confession or supplication
Downward, for prayers of blessing (such as at communion)
Outward, for benedictions and thanksgiving prayers.

Kneeling:
As it suggests, this position is done while down on your knees.
Hands may be folded, at your side, stretched out in front of you, etc.
Good for private prayers, prayers of confession, and prayers before the cross.

Seated:
Back straight (for good posture, and helps breathing)
Feet flat on the floor
Hands may be folded or laid in your lap, palms up or down.

Prostrate:
Flat on the floor, face down.
Used in the early Church for prayers of confession.
Used in some Christian tradition for ordaining ministers/priests.
A good way to connect with the earth, and to show God (and ourselves) that we are humble and read to receive God’s Spirit.

The Collect:

The collect (pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable) is one of the most ancient forms of Christian prayer. Once the format of the collect is learned, it is very easy to construct simple prayers that are relevant to any situation. It is always best to keep the phrases short, simple, and always addressed to God.

The phrases in bold print below are taken from a very old example of a collect, as an illustration.

1. Address to God. (Almighty God)
2. A Characteristic of God’s nature. (To whom all hearts are open,)
3. A petition. (Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts)
4. The purpose for the petition. (That we may perfectly love you)
5. Doxology/Conclusion (Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and for ever. Amen.)

The Spiritual Practice of Meditation (Lectio Divina)

2009-05-17T07:52:00.002-04:00

Some notes from this week's sermon on Meditation, specifically about Lectio Divina:

Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline): “Christian meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word. It is that simple. I wish I could make it more complicated for those who like things difficult. It involves no hidden mysteries, no secret mantras, no mental gymnastics, no esoteric flights into the cosmic consciousness. The truth of the matter is that the great God of the universe, the Creator of all things, desires our fellowship.”

--For the early Church, this “listening to God” took the form of a practice called Lectio Divina. Lectio is a Latin word that means “reading,” while Divina is the Latin word for “holy” or “sacred.” So, Lectio Divina literally means “holy reading” or “sacred reading.”

The early monks, who were among the few who could read in those days, used the words of Scripture as the basis of their meditation.

There were set Scriptures that were read each day, or sometimes the monks would simply begin with Genesis, and practice Lectio the whole way through the Bible. In other cases, monks would meditate on the Psalms, beginning with number one, and sometimes meditating their way through all 150 psalms in one day!

Lectio Divina has four basic steps, which also have Latin names to identify them:

Lectio (Reading): In this step, the reader chooses a passage of Scripture—the shorter the better (just a few verses or a chapter at a time). Then, the passage is read (usually aloud, so the reader can hear the words and say them as they read along). Reading is done slowly, and without concern for memorizing the words or “getting it right” as far as meaning or understanding is concerned. Lectio is about encountering God in the Scriptures, not about passing a knowledge test.

Meditatio (Meditation): After the Scripture has been read through once (or sometimes several times), the reader will choose a word or phrase that stands out or has a particular ring to it. I always describe this as the “ah ha” moment of reading the Bible. Sometimes, after reading through the passage of Scripture several times, I will find myself stopping and looking at one word or phrase several times, over and over again.

Contemplatio (Contemplation): Contemplation is a time of silent reflection. Often, after dwelling with your chosen word or phrase for a while, you may find yourself simply being—settling in completely, and listening quietly for the voice of God. (Do not expect an actual voice here—that happens, but very rarely! Unless your name is Moses, you may have to settle for simple a nudge or a poke in the right direction.) If you find yourself getting off track—thinking about what to have for dinner, or the big meeting you have coming up this week—simply smile to yourself (we’re all human, after all), and go back to Meditatio for a while. Conjure up more images of your word or phrase in your head, and turn it around and around again until you find yourself coming back to Contemplation.

Oratio (Prayer): For the ancient Church, prayer came only after the long extended period of silence that accompanied Contemplatio. Julian of Norwich, the 14th Century mystic, once said that “God is the ground of our beseeching.” In other words, we need to first listen for God’s voice, and then add our own voice to the conversation. Sometimes, I never get to this point in my practice of Lectio. Sometimes, I simply sit in silence and listen for the voice of God, or listen to the voice of God speaking to me through Scripture.

--The profound point of this type of meditative prayer is that it is not about us—that’s a different kind of prayer completely—one we’ll talk about in another sermon. This type of meditation is about God—and more specifically about our relationship with God. As with all the practices we’ll cover in this series, meditation is not about “getting it right,” but about “getting right in” with God.

Watch this space this week for more information on other types of meditation!

--David

Some "Bonus Material" on Guidance.

2009-05-14T09:38:00.003-04:00

Guidance can sometimes take the form of engaging in a guided meditation, or "spiritual exercise" under the direction of another person.

The Sisters of the Humility of Mary, our friends in Villa Maria, PA, have spiritual directors who can guide people through the "Spiritual Exercise of St. Ignatius." Their website is: www.humilityofmary.org .

You can also find a min-version of this type of guided meditation at www.sacredspace.ie , which is a site run by the Irish Jesuits. This site has a daily meditation based on a scripture reading. It is a text-only site, but if you prefer a more interactive approach, you can check out www.pray-as-you-go.org, which has the same type of scripture meditation in MP3 format--you can listen online, download to your computer, or put it on your iPod or MP3 player.

Enjoy!

--David

p.s.--watch this space for guidelines about the topic of Meditation, beginning next week!

The Spiritual Practice of Guidance.

2009-05-10T18:37:00.002-04:00

Guidance (also sometimes called "Spiritual Direction" or "Spiritual Companionship/Friendship," is the process by which we seek God's guiding Spirit in community with other people. Here are some suggested practices you might want to try out this week (or this month, or this year, take your time and pace yourself!)

--Pick one of the first three Gospels: Matthew, Mark, or Luke, and read the sections of that Gospel that focus on how Jesus interacted with his disciples. How did he act as a spiritual director to them? How did his stories, prayers, and conversations with them act as a spiritual guide in their quest to come closer to God?

--Call a trusted friend or mentor this week, and get together with him/her for coffee (or tea) and a conversation. It doesn’t have to be about anything major—or maybe there’s something you’ve been dying to tell this person for a long time. Experience what it is like to take time away from the business of your life to reconnect with another human being on a different level.

--If your mother is still alive, call her today and thank her, and wish her a happy mother’s day. If your mother has passed on, pray to God for her, and know that God cares for a loves those whom we hold dear in our hearts, even after they have died.

--Read Paul’s letters to Timothy. These are great examples of spiritual guidance. Reflect on how Paul both respects Timothy’s gifts and graces for ministry, while at the same time offering his own thoughts on how to practice ministry. What words of wisdom does Paul offer you as you “listen in” on his spiritual direction sessions with Timothy?

--Come to the meditation group tomorrow night at the Eastwood Mall. This is not a commercial, I promise! We meet at 7 p.m. in the community room, which is now located in the Dillard’s wing, across from Payless Shoes. Okay, it sounds a little bit like a commercial, but really, the meditation group is an opportunity where we kind of mentor each other in our spiritual practices.

--Reflect on the key verse from today’s Scripture reading: Galatians 5:25—“If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.” What does it mean to be guided by the Spirit? Have you ever asked the Holy Spirit for guidance when facing a problem? What happened? If you haven’t ever asked, try it today. Watch how it changes your perception of the problem, and journal about your thoughts and experiences this week. Or, talk to a trusted friend or mentor about how you’re feeling about God’s guidance.

--Check out the website of Spiritual Directors International: www.sdiworld.org
Find out more about what a spiritual director is, and what a spiritual director does. You can also find a spiritual director near you, and learn about what it takes to become a spiritual director. If you feel yourself being called in that direction, a good place to start is by finding yourself your own spiritual director, and explore what that process looks and feels like.

Watch this space--as I get more ideas this week, I'll post other ways you can think about/practice the spiritual practice of guidance.

Peace,

David

The Spritual Practice of Solitude

2009-05-03T09:48:00.002-04:00

Solitude is time spent alone, in silence, to hear the voice of God speaking to you. Remember the story of Elijah--God's voice was not in the fire, whirlwind, or earthquake, but in the silence and stillness that came at the end. But solitude is also an attitude and a way of life--not that we separate ourselves out from the world in order to be "pure," but that we create spaces in the midst of our crazy-busy lives in order to be present to God's Spirit.

Here are some pointers on cultivating the spiritual practice of solitude:

--Begin by finding the quiet spaces in your life. What part/parts of your day is the most quiet? (For me, it’s about 6 a.m., before anyone else, including the dogs, have awakened.) Richard Foster told the story in his book about playing “the quiet game” (all the parents reading this will know what he means by that) “Who can be the quietest?” Find those moments when you feel the quietest, and remember what that feels like.

--Then, find a quiet place. Where do you go to be alone? (A place in your house, a park, the church, the library—some other place.)

--Go to that place and spend some time alone on a regular basis. (If you are an extrovert, it is usually best to do this in conjunction with spending time with others—don’t take anyone else with you to your quiet place, but spend time with others, and then go there. If you are an introvert, don’t spend all your time in the quiet place, but find a way to interact with others, too.) Remember what it feels like to be in your quiet space.

--Quiet your mind; settle in (There is a Quaker expression that is used for this—“Centering down.”) Remember that this is not a contest. It will take time to learn to center yourself—many times of going to your quiet place.

--Cultivate the practice of “centering down” in your quiet place. Find out what helps you center down most easily. Then, remember that feeling, and what it was that got you there.

--While you are centered, do not speak, but listen. Listen for the voice of God. Sometimes, despite what the psychological tests say, it is o.k. to hear the voice of God. Find God speaking to you through whatever you are reading or experiencing while you center down. Remember that. All of this will become very important later.

--Ease yourself back into the world. Don’t shock your system. Remember what they tell you when you bring a fish home from the pet store? You keep it in the baggie and put the baggie in the fish tank at home for about an hour before you let the fish go. That way, the water in the baggie can take on the temperature in the tank, and the fish won't be shocked when you let it loose. Take a “buffer time” between solitude and plunging yourself back into life full steam. Remember how you do that, and how it feels.

Why is it so important to remember how you feel as you go to your quiet space?

--Because solitude is a frame of mind, not necessarily a place. (I’ve met too many people who say they can only experience the presence of God in one particular place—it limits your ability to be attuned to God’s presence and God’s voice.) If you practice enough, you may be able to center yourself in a shady glen or in an airport, in a church or in an office building. Even in the midst of noise and distraction, if you can remember what helps to center you down in your quiet space, you can find solitude and peace.

The pitfalls and dangers of practicing solitude:

1. Feeling like you’re not doing it “right.” (It’s different for everyone. What centers you may feel like torture to someone else. Do what works for you, but don’t use the lack of finding any one method as an excuse to say that you can’t practice solitude, either. It often takes months or even years of practice to get to a solitude that works best for you, and sometimes even then, you might find yourself growing and finding new ways to experience solitude.) Don’t feel like you have to “get it right.” Practicing a spiritual discipline is not about “getting it right,” but about getting right with God.

2. Restlessness—or the wandering mind. One of the desert “Abbas,” or fathers, of the early monastic movement was once asked, “What do I do when I am meditating in my cell and my mind wanders?” Abba replied, “Smile to yourself, and then get back to your work.” [Work, here, meaning, the work of practicing solitude.] Our minds wander; how many times have you spent at least a few moments during worship thinking about what you’re going to have to eat after church? Be honest! Smile to yourself—smile at yourself—and then get back to what God has called you to do.

3. Rushing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people come to me for pastoral counseling or spiritual direction, and they come in for one session, and I teach them some method of meditation or prayer, and they go away and come back the next time and say something like, “I tried it, and it didn’t work!” I ask, “Really? How many times did you try it?” “Once.” Practicing a spiritual discipline—especially solitude—takes time. It’s like taking care of a plant--you water it a little bit at a time and let it grow. If you tried to give a plant all the water itwould need in its lifetime in one gulp, it would die. Practicing solitude is the same way.

4. The “long dark night of the soul.” This is not my phrase--it comes from St. John of the Cross. Often, we try to avoid the dark places in life; St. John of the Cross invites us in. “The dark night of the soul” is a time of struggle—think of Jacob, wrestling with God (or an angel) in Genesis. It was only after the struggle that he was blessed. Rather than a place of dread and fear, the dark night can be a great teacher. The greatest mystics and teachers of the faith have all had this experience. In her recently released letters, Mother Teresa is seen to be struggling quite often with this very issue. The dark night of the soul teaches us patience with God, and with ourselves. It is the time during which we deconstruct all our pre-conceived notions about ourselves and the world around us, not so we are left quivering and confused, but so we can put it all back together again in the end.

St. John of the Cross wrote this about the dark night of the soul:

O guiding night!
O night more lovely than the dawn!
O night that has united
The Lover with His beloved,
Transforming the beloved into the Lover.

In going through solitude, and eventually the long dark night of the soul, we go through the exact experience of Jesus. What does Luke tell us happened while Jesus prayed on the night before his death? He sweat blood! (That’s a powerfully dark night of the soul…)

--Working through all of these pitfalls, with some fits and starts, and allowing yourself enough grace to learn from your silence and solitude, you can begin to build up for yourself a practice of solitude. You will not become a monk—I don’t expect that—but if you do feel that call, let me know, there are ways to express a monastic vocation in a Protestant environment. But you will find yourself cultivating your own flower of solitude to the point where you can find that quiet place inside yourself whenever you need it most. And in the stillness and the silence, you can listen for the heartbeat and voice of God.

Grace and Peace to you in solitude,

David

Sermon Series: "Spiritual Practices"

2009-04-28T11:41:00.002-04:00

Here are the seven spiritual practices that we will be exploring over the next seven weeks. Remember that there are twelve practices in all--so we will look at the other five some other time. But for now, here are the seven:

May 3-- Solitude

May 10-- Guidance

May 17--Meditation

May 24--Service

May 31--Celebration

June 7--Worship

June 14--Prayer

Check back here each week to find "special feature" material-- stuff you won't be able to get anywhere else! I'll post suggestions for each day of the following week of how you can practice what you have learned on Sunday morning all through the week.

I pray that this time of learning and reflection will be a benefit to everyone in our congregation, and all those who read this blog.

God Bless You,

David

Oscar the Grouch

2009-04-16T22:02:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I looked at my last couple of posts, and I sound kinda grouchy.

I think I need a break--next week, I'll be in Nashville for a conference called "A River Deep and Wide: Spiritual Practices in the Twenty-first Century." It will be a whole week full of prayer, meditation, and learning about how to maintain a balance between body/mind/spirit. From what I've been reading of my own writing lately, I'm pretty sure I need it.

Thanks to Earl for owning up to your comments--I still don't agree with you, but that's fine. That's what makes this country great. We can disagree and we don't get out guns and kill each other over it.

I'll try to update the blog while I'm away.

Pace e Bene,

David

Comments

2009-04-16T09:33:00.000-04:00

Comments on this pitiful excuse for a blog will be monitored from now on. If you can't be bothered to put your name to your comment, it won't be posted here. I don't read anonymous letters, and I sure don't want anonymous comments on my blog.

--David

Of Tea Bags and Taxes.

2009-04-15T21:03:00.003-04:00

O.k., this is the last time I'm going to comment on this, because frankly, I think these people don't need any more publicity than they have already gotten.

Today, people all around this great land of ours decided to slag off work and march around in protest of what they call "taxation without representation." Modeling themselves after the original Boston Tea Party (ala the Sons of Liberty--look it up in a history book), they dumped tea and/or tea products into various waterways to protest the government's stimuli of various parts of the economy using taxpayers' dollars.

I have two major problems with this:

1. It is a huge waste of tea, and you know how much of a sin I think that is!

2. It is a mockery of what this country is built on. Sure, the Framers might not recognize what we have today as the ideal of what they had in mind when they wrote the Constitution, but they also only had thirteen states to deal with, and were fighting a war. In a vast land like ours, we need government to keep everything from dropping off into the ocean sometimes, and yeah, we're going to have to pay for it. Like the better part of $7,000 that my family paid this year, and the millions and billions that others contributed. Some got refunds, but the government does "owe" everybody a refund--that's just what they say on the H&R Block commercials so that you'll come get your taxes done there. So, yes, I find it offensive that some would compare our current government and president (whom I actively campaigned for) to George III and his Parliament. It's not fair, it's not accurate, and it's just not nice.

Here's the deal, people--we're in this mess together. We may not agree on how we got here (although I do think it's unfair to saddle Mr. Obama--three months into office--with all the blame), but the one thing we should all agree on is that it's going to take all of us to get out of it. Not just "all of us" in the sense of a few of us who really care, but ALL of us, in the Great Depression, get-off-yer-butt-and-do-something kind of way. It's going to take machinists and artists and executives and congressional representatives and preachers and teachers and garbage collectors to help us get out of this. It's going to take sacrifice--a thing we're afraid to latch onto in this country because we're afraid that someone else might get ahead (meaning, what? That we're going to get behind? Why does it have to be one or the other?)

So, say it with me, "We the people of the United States. . ." we're in this for the long run, and we're in it for the promotion of the general welfare of all. That means you too, tea partiers! Get off your high horses and plow a field. Put down your signs and go feed a starving child in the inner city. Make a cup of tea and sit down with a Depression-era granny and get her story of what it's really like to suffer. Just don't throw your tea in the river, or you're gonna have to put up with me. And I don't deal with tea abuse very lightly.

Sitting down to a cup right now,

David

Standing, Standing. . .

2009-03-03T15:56:00.002-05:00

This weekend, I encountered something that I had never seen before--standing during the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah. Maybe I'm an uncultured boob, but in all my years of singing this piece as a member of the choir at Church of the Master United Methodist, I never once encountered such a tradition!

It all happened at the Niles Choir Festival, held at First Christian Church on Sunday afternoon. After each choir sang a few numbers, the entire ensemble gathered for a stirring rendition of the "Hallelujah," which in itself was strange for me, since I am of the impression that the "Hallelujah" or "Alleluia" of our liturgy gets "buried" during Lent. In fact, I know of one church where they literally buried the word "Alleluia" in the ground, only to dig it up again on Easter morning!

As the first few bars of Handel's mastework were played on the organ, some members of the congregation, exchanging knowing glances, stood to their feet, followed by others, and still others, until all the congregation (including me--I rose out of sheer embarrasment for not rising!) were on their feet. And we stood. . .and stood. . .and stood, until the piece was over.

It was not until today, as I was thinking about it again, that I looked this strange little custom up on the internet, and found that it is indeed customary for audiences to stand during the "Hallelujah Chorus." There are various sources for this tradition, but the one that cracked me up was the one that said that George II (of England) stood during the playing of the piece when it premiered in London. Now, there are some who doubt the reasons given for his standing (that he was moved by the music or that he was standing to relieve his gout), or even that he was at the premiere itself, but this odd quirk leads me to ask some questions:

1. If everyone else in the audience stood when the king stood, as the legend suggests, then why do American audiences still hold to this practice? Surely, our independence from Great Britain would have moved early hearers of this legend to eschew this practice.

2. Why do such traditions persist, long after the original significance has passed? I know that "Hallelujah" is a stirring piece, but is it as worthy of a standing ovation as others, or even, as the tradition seems to indicate, more worthy?

I have never been one to do things "just because we've always done it that way," a trait that has sometimes gotten me in trouble. I think I would not have such a problem with this tradition if the author himself had suggested it, as the best way to hear his music, but in the 21st century, it seems to me that doing it "just because" doesn't make sense anymore. On one hand, it's just a quaint tradition, one of many that we observe. On the other hand, it's a way to tell who's in and who's out--those who know of the standing tradition seemed much more at ease than those of us on the outside. I found it quite uncomfortable to stand for the entire piece--I chose to be in the audience, after all, not in the choir. And, it made me self-conscious--not the best mindset to be in whilst listening to music.

I have read that some conductors find the practice annoying, and put a note in the program to tell people not to stand. Stand or no, it would be helpful if those performing this work would indicate which is preferred, so that audience doesn't spend the first 20 to 30 seconds shuffling to their feet while looking around, sheepishly wondering if they are in the in crowd or not.

Yours annoyedly,

David

Shrove Tuesday

2009-02-24T11:43:00.002-05:00

Today is Shrove Tuesday--so-called because it used to be the day when everyone went to be "shriven," or to make their confession, before the holy day of Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of Lent. It's also called "Fat Tuesday," or "Mardi Gras," because of the tradition of getting rid of all of the fat and meat in the house before the lenten fast. Folks used up all their fat or lard by making pancakes or other rich sweets.

Today is traditionally a day of final celebrations and "whooping it up" before Lent, hence the massive Mardi Gras festivals and parades in New Orleans and other heavily-Catholic areas.

How will we be celebrating Mardi Gras? By eating pancakes, of course! IHOP has free pancakes all day today, so make sure to head out and enjoy!

But, don't forget that Ash Wednesday comes tomorrow, when all the confetti is swept up, and we begin again our journey toward the cross, and eventually the empty tomb. Today is but a brief and temporal reminder of the eternal and heavenly festival that will take place when we all gather together in God's Kingdom.

Happy Mardi Gras!

--David

Quadrennial Training--Like General Conference Without the Legislation!

2009-01-29T22:28:00.002-05:00

Why have I never heard of this event before? Here we are, in "sunny" Jacksonville (it's actually been raining all day), for a quadrennial training event for The United Methodist Church. Conference leaders from around the country have gathered to hear about the four new foci for The UMC for the next for years. The object, I suppose, is that we will return to our respective conferences and tell everyone we know about these four areas of focus and work.

So far, it's working on me.

Tonight, we heard from two bishops and a seminarian. Guess which one got the biggest response from the crowd? (Hint--he doesn't have a crozier or a red shield pin)

Jay Williams (not the mayor of Youngstown--the seminarian), talked about what he sees as the crux of our leadership issue in The UMC--too many of us are married to our ideas of what it means to be properly "Methodist," and we've missed the point on what it means to be gifted followers of Christ. He also pointed out that not everyone has the spiritual gift of leadership, and that just because someone has years of service (or happens to be the next young hotshot on the block), he/she may not be qualified for leadership. One of my favorite lines, "Many young people are frustrated because we cannot get a seat at the table, because there are some who have stayed for too many courses of the meal." (Paraphrase)

The bishops were good, too.

But, it's nice to see a 27-year old being recognized as having a valid perspective on the world, and especially on the church. This year at General Conference, with the first-ever Young People's Address, someone from my generation finally spoke for me at the general church level. Tonight, that trend continued, and the pride that comes from hearing such wisdom from a person so young is overwhelming and encouraging.

Tomorrow's a busy day, but it should be good. More speakers and workshops to attend, more networking to do. Pray for sun in Jacksonville.

--David

2009 Urban/Town & Country January Event.

2009-01-07T12:59:00.002-05:00

It's the first full week of January, which means that it must be time for the January Event! This is an opportunity for people practicing in Urban and Town & Country (Rural) ministries in the North Central Jurisdiction to come together for a time of learning and networking. Right now, I'm listening to Gwen Roberts, the Director of Metro Ministries in W. Ohio. She is talking to us about what Metro ministry is--connecting the giftedness of urban and suburban congregations for ministry in a wider metropolitan area. Gwen has some really good ideas about how we can connect in these ways.

Next year's event will be in East Saint Louis, Illinois, January 5-7, with the theme of "Accepting the Gifts of Others in a Multicultural World." I know all these details becuase I've been asked to chair the event! I look forward to hearing from all my friends who are in urban ministry as I help facilitate this learning opportunity.

Well, I've got to get back to listening to the speaker. I've got a long drive home today on some nasty roads.

In the Grace of God,

David

2008-12-08T08:43:00.001-05:00

Here is a link sent to me by Denise Seman, one of our members at First UMC, Niles:

If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com ,you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and send it to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. It would be great if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them..

Peace,

David

Happy Thanksgiving.

2008-11-27T13:07:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good eat!

We are spending time at Granny's house for Thanksgiving this year--followed by our usual 4 a.m. foray into the fray of the frenetic holiday shopping that is the day after Turkey Day. We have not bought a piece of electronic equipment in the last 8 years unless it was purchased on the day after Thanksgiving!

I can smell the turkey cooking now--mostly because it's my job to baste the beast every quarter hour or so. CNN recommended not basting the turkey this year (something about saving gas in a difficult economy), but I figure, "What does Wolf Blitzer know about cooking a bird?" So, I'm bastin'!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone--look out for turkeys wielding axes! (Rebecca wrote a story today about a turkey's revenge this morning--very cute, but also a bit disturbing!)

God Bless us, Everyone,

David

Sermon--November 9, 2008

2008-11-11T15:16:00.000-05:00

“Be Prepared”Matthew 25:1-13
By: David E. MacDonald
November 9, 2008 (26th Sunday after Pentecost)
Niles First United Methodist Church

Prayer

--Scout motto: “Be Prepared” (Baden-Powell, “Why, for any old thing, of course!”)

(We taught scouts to be prepared by having them pack their bags, and do the grocery shopping. . .there was one boy who always forgot something, like the salad dressing, and that boy grew up to be a preacher. . .)

--Jesus tells this story of 10 bridesmaids. (In those days, a wedding was a week-long event! The groom would collect the bridesmaids, and they would process by lamplight to the bride's home, where they would greet her in song, and the groom would take the bride to his family home. Then the ceremony would take place the next day, then there would be music and dancing and partying for the rest of the week----this is why the wine ran out in Cana.)

--This whole section of Scripture, beginning in Chapter 24, is all about being prepared.

--For what? (The persecutions to come, and for the time when Jesus would return.)

--After this, Jesus tells his disciples exactly what he expects will happen (“The Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”)

So, let's place these bridesmaids into that context—Jesus is about to be crucified, and he's preparing his disciples for what is to come.

--That why I call this a “Parable of the Kingdom,” because Jesus is telling his disciples (and us) what to expect in the new community that he is building.

--Let's begin by looking at those bridesmaids who were prepared.

--Most of us would put ourselves in that category, right? (Remember the salad dressing. . .)

--To be prepared in this context means to have enough for yourself, but not enough for others—doesn't that sound a bit cruel?

Think about it this way: we can only fill our own lamps. As much as we try, we cannot force others to come to Christ, nor can we learn their lessons for them. The bridesmaids who remembered their oil knew the lesson that every lifeguard learns; you cannot save a drowning person if they pull you under first.

--Are we then to be selfish? (Grab all the grace I can and leave nothing for others?) No, but we are to do like they tell you on the airplane-- “In the event of a sudden drop in cabin pressure, oxygen masks will fall from the compartments in the ceiling above your seat. If you need to help a child or another passenger with their oxygen, please put your own oxygen mask on first.”)

--We are to be grounded enough in our faith that we can fill up our own lamps before we can be of use to anyone else.

The lesson of the wise bridesmaids is simple: Fill up your lamp, and be prepared for any eventuality. (God often surprises us-- these stories all take place in the middle of the night—a time when unexpected things happen.)

--Now, to the foolish bridesmaids. They didn't have enough oil for their lamps. Pardon the blatant stereotype, but these are the sisters of the Gamma Gamma Phi sorority, the party girls, who don't study and hope that they'll get by on their charms and family connections. These are the bridesmaids who show up at the rehearsal an hour late because they had to get their nails done, who demand that everyone listen to them and pay attention to them instead of the bride and groom, and who show up on the wedding day and talk about how their wedding will be so much nicer. (I don't have anything against weddings, really, it's just that I've seen too much of what goes on behind the scenes to have a fairytale outlook on them any more.)

--The foolish bridesmaids are the ones who think that it's all about the wedding day, and not about the important task at hand—the wedding of two people together for a lifetime of days, spent caring for and loving one another and those around them.

--So the foolish bridesmaids don't have enough oil. Ever felt like that? Ever known anyone who was perpetually like that? (We had a guy at camp, whenever we went out for wings, who always wanted to go “halvsies” with someone, and then mysteriously never had his full half!)

--These bridesmaids expect everything to be handed to them on a platter. They don't want to think about what's coming up in the future—they want to party now! And living in the now moment becomes such a high for them that they forget that tomorrow there will be a new 'now' that needs their attention, and that they will be left out in the cold if they don't act in the now now.

--But in this case, when they ask for some oil from the wise bridesmaids, they get denied.
(What? But I've always had someone who would help me out!)

--Ever felt like that? (Ever known anyone like that?)

Oh, so that's what responsibility is all about! Oh, I didn't know that if I took a high risk variable rate mortgage that my rates would go up! Oh, I didn't realize that student loans had to be paid off! Oh, you mean to tell me that credit cards aren't free money? (Wow, this is like my college days all over again!) Or, in the case of Wall Street-- Oh, you mean that we can't just keep offering people cheap loans and huge lines of credit? What? The market for that kind of stuff will eventually implode and cause a financial crisis?

Help! Bail me out! Just this one time, I swear it won't happen again! Just go halvsies with me, won't ya? Just this one time!

The lesson of the foolish bridesmaids is this: sometimes, we have to learn from our own stupid mistakes. Sometimes, there are certain lessons in life that can only be learned the hard way. (I see some nodding of heads—am I breaking through here? Are we finding common ground in our experiences? I think so.)

But—and this is a biggie—God is a God of grace.

--Forget for a moment what the groom says at the end of the story, about the other bridesmaids being shut out of the wedding banquet, and look at this from a different perspective.

--Some of us are like the wise bridesmaids, and some of us are like the foolish bridesmaids, but I would venture to guess that at one time or another, most of us have been both of these characters.

--When we are the wise, prepared virgins, God reminds us of this simple lesson: Don't forget who gave you the oil for your lamp to begin with. Don't get ahead of yourself. You remember what it was like when you didn't have enough oil. Get out there and remind others how to get it, too. But remember, if the foolish ones need to learn the hard way, the best thing you can do is let them do just that.

--When we are the foolish, unprepared virgins, God gives us this message: Wake up, get out there, and go get yourself some oil. Ain't nobody gonna do it for you. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, and don't expect anyone else to hoe your row for you. But remember, when you hit rock bottom, someone who has enough oil will help light your way so that you can come back and get filled again.

--So, how do we get our lamps filled with oil? (Spent this weekend with the E.Ohio Clergy Spouse Retreat—talked about prayer—I can’t help you with your hang-ups; I can’t teach you to pray; I can’t fill your lamp, and you can’t fill mine; some preachers might end with a five point plan on how to fill your lamp; others might preach a whole series, with a visual of a lamp being filled with oil each week; as you know, I’m not a gimmicky kind of preacher)

That’s the lesson of the bridesmaids—no one can find out how to fill your lamp but you.

Story—“Why I Make Sam Go to Church” by Anne Lamott (Traveling Mercies, pg. 99-100)

Well, maybe no one can fill your lamp but you, but it sure helps to have a community of faith like the one in the story, and this one here, to help you out when you need it.

Thanks be to God.
Amen.

Sermon--October 26, 2008

2008-11-09T10:38:00.001-05:00

“Toward the Promised Land”
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
By: David E. MacDonald
October 26, 2008 (Reformation Sunday)
Niles First United Methodist Church

Moses ben Amram, aged 120, formerly of Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula, died yesterday somewhere in the mountains just outside the Promised Land. He was the eldest son of Amram of Jochebed, slaves in Egypt. He was a member of the Tribe of Levi, rescued during the days of the Egyptian troubles by his birth mother, and raised in the Palace of Pharaoh, just outside Cairo. After an unfortunate incident, during which an Egyptian guard was killed, Moses wandered in the wilderness for a while, tending the sheep of his father in law, Jethro, the priest of Midian; this experience would serve him well in later years. After returning to Egypt to free the people of Israel, he led them through the wilderness of Zin for 40 years, beseeching God on their behalf, and bringing laws and messages to them on God’s behalf. Moses died after his last encounter with the LORD, and his body was secretly buried somewhere in the valley of Moab. Place of Interment is not known. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother, Aaron, and his sister Miriam. He is survived by Joshua, his chosen successor, and all the people of Israel. Memorial donations may be made to the “Moses ben Amram Settlement of the Promised Land Trust,” care of Joshua ben Nun.

That might be one way to write Moses’ obituary—at least if it had been written today. But here’s what the writers of Deuteronomy chose to put as the last words on the great prophet Moses:

10Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. 11He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, 12and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.

(How’d you like to be the pastor to follow that guy?)

--The mysterious circumstances of his death and burial aside, the story of Moses’ final encounter with God, and his death just before the people of Israel entered the Promised Land is an intriguing story.

--Having said that, it also seems an odd biblical account for Reformation Sunday, the day when we remember our heritage as Protestant Christians.

--But, I think that Moses and the great reformers of our faith are not that dissimilar, save for the fact that we pretty much know where Luther, Wesley, Calvin, and others are buried . . . and none of them had the good fortune to live for one hundred and twenty years!

In Jude, v. 9, the author refers to a battle over Moses’ body between Michael and Satan. (There may have been a book called “The Assumption of Moses” that survived until the 6th century, and then disappeared.)

Just as the legacy of Moses was tangled over and pored over for centuries, so the lives of the Reformers of the faith have been fought over for many a year. Today, we can find ways to use Wesley’s words to “prove” almost any point. (BTW, the same is done with the Bible)

But great reformers and leaders of the faith, like Moses and Martin Luther and John Wesley, provide us with some lessons that are important for us to learn.

God has a plan.

It’s not all about us.

Reformation is about moving forward, not turning back.

Training up those who will follow us in leadership is the most important thing that we can do as church leaders today.

--God has a plan

--God’s plan for Israel began well before the story of Moses. In a way, the first five books of the Bible, called the Pentateuch, form a story “arc” that begins with creation, follows the story of Abraham and his descendants, through the sojourn of the Israelites in Egypt, and then back out of Egypt and back to the land promised to their ancestors. It is a story about a people who deeply and painfully experienced the loss of intimacy with God (symbolized by the abundance of the Garden of Paradise), and try desperately for generations to get back to something akin to that intimacy of relationship again.

--I believe that God has a plan for all people: that we have all lost that intimate connection to the Divine, and we are all on a quest to somehow get back to Eden, to experience what it means to live as God’s people.

--The story of the Reformation is all about people who wanted to “Get with the Plan,” who tried to steer the people of God back onto the right track.

--Martin Luther (Indulgences, Scripture)
--John Calvin (Preaching, Heaven/Hell)
--William Tyndale (Bringing the Bible to the people in English)
--Count Von Zinzendorf (Moravians; Holiness of Heart and Life)
--Wesley (Care for the poor; Evangelism; Zeal for the whole Gospel)

--God has a plan, and the plan is hard for us to know sometimes. We get sidetracked with our own issues and dilemmas, our own pains and losses, and we forget to keep searching for the Plan. The Plan is not always clear, sometimes God deliberately wants us to wander for a bit, just like the Israelites did, so that we learn some important lessons.

--A word of caution: When I say “WE” here, I’m referring to the General “WE,” not each of us specifically.

(e.g. , the notion that “God has a plan” can apply to every person’s individual situation is not a valid Biblical statement; God has intentions for us, God wants what is best for us, but it is by no means part of God’s plan that some individuals should suffer, and others should have disease, and others should die too young. That’s not what I’m talking about. What I’m talking about is the Plan that God has for each of us [as a part of the whole] to be connected with God!)

Perhaps this can be better explained by my second point:

--It’s not all about us. (Individually)

--One reason that some scholars believe Moses’ burial place is not known to us is that God may have wanted to avoid a sort of “spiritual tourism” racket that could have built up around Moses’ remains; a “cult of personality” that might develop as the people of Israel might want to return to the sight of the burial of their founder and chief prophet, perhaps to remember the anniversary of his birth or death. To avoid such quasi-idolatrousness, God chose instead to make the transition into the Promised Land not about Moses, but about the People. So, it came time for Moses to meet his end and go gently into the night, while his people thrived for centuries.

--That’s why I have a problem with preachers who name their ministries after themselves, because my question is, “What happens when you die?” Unless you’ve named your son or daughter after you and have named that person as your successor (which is what Robert Schuler did), you are basically setting yourself (and your ministry) up for immediate crisis and potential failure at the moment of your demise.

--So, nothing against the Lutherans or the Wesleyans, but that’s why I’m glad to be called a “Methodist,” because that is a term that applied to all the people who followed Wesley, not just a few of them. (Explain the term)

--So sometimes we are like Moses: we have to leave everything on the mountain top, and allow another person, perhaps one who is more capable of carrying on what we have begun, to carry on the work.

(Paul struggled with this: “some plant, some water, some tend, some harvest”)

--Recognizing that we may not be the ones to reap the harvest that we sow is perhaps the most difficult lesson for us to grasp today.

But do you imagine that Luther, nailing his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg church in 1517 believed that he would see the end result of all that he had done?

Do you think that John Wesley, preaching the in the fields and coal mines and town squares of England ever though he would see the day when the people called Methodist would number in the millions around the world?

Do you think, even for a moment, that the seasick pilgrims of the Mayflower thought they would see an independent nation on the North American continent, or that the slaves carried over the Atlantic in the bows of ships knew that someday their people would see freedom, and the same opportunities offered to the descendents of their slave owners?

Never! That which we begin may not have an immediate impact. The programs and ministries we start now may take lots of time to come to fruition, but every good thing worth doing has always been this way.

Archbishop Oscar Romero, himself a kind of Moses figure for the poor and oppressed of El Salvador, once wrote:

It helps now and then, to step back and take the long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection, no pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church's mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about: We plant seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capability.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.
(When Moses died, the people mourned for 30 days, and then moved on. This is the story not only of Moses, but of the whole people of God!)
Sometimes we are Moses, and the best thing we can do for the betterment of the world, the improvement of the Church, and the reformation of our society is to plant seeds and then get out of the way and let others reap the benefits.
--On the other hand, sometimes we may be called upon to be Joshua, to take up the mantle of those who have gone before us, and to carry on the good work of God’s plan. Reformation is about moving forward, not turning back.
Image of a ship on the wrong course:
Common response is to “turn the ship around.”
Do we really want to “turn the ship around”? Or, do we want to “correct course”? That’s what Joshua did for the Israelites—he didn’t take them back to the so-called “comforts” of Egypt, but corrected their course (improved their vision) towards the Promised Land.
Perhaps the better image for this Reformation process is that of a train; if it goes off the track, our goal is to get it back on track so that we can reach our destination.
Today, the Church is in need of a new kind of Reformation. We live in a very different world from that of our ancestors in the faith. We live in a time that is beset with fear and misunderstanding—between cultures, governments, and religions.

For some, the answer is to go back—to become Fundamentalists, unmoving and unchanging our beliefs and practices. But this is the very antithesis of Reformation! This is the opposite of what Joshua did when the people lost their beloved leader, Moses. He took them onward, moving toward the goal of getting closer to the plan God had for them. He knew that what lay ahead was infinitely more promising than a return to what was a familiar, but by no means more comfortable position as the slaves of Egypt. Fundamentalism, of any variety, is a dangerous distortion of the Divine plan of getting human beings closer to God.
Psalm 90:1-6; 13-17 (Superscript: “A Prayer of Moses, the man of God”)

--God is constant (“in all generations”; “everlasting”; “a thousand years . . . like yesterday”)

God is constant, but continues to bless. Our best days are not behind us, but before us, and God’s work is not accomplished because of us, but most often in spite of us! So we need to also be like Joshua, and move forward in advancing our knowledge of and connection to the divine.

--But, again, we also need to be like Moses. Training up leaders to follow us is the most important thing we can do as church leaders today.

--And we’re all church leaders! (Just ask the new members’ class. . .spiritual gifts)

--Moses recognized that he wasn’t going to live forever—120 years is a long time, but let’s face it, even the best of us succumb to old age at some point.

--Is the Church facing that today? Are we as a movement facing institutional “old age,” and needing to pass on the mantle to others?

--Majority of students entering seminary now are not training to become Pastors. (Yet, 40% of our active clergy will be eligible for retirement in the next 10 years, while we take in classes of new ordinands in the single digits.)

Moses’ death was seen as a “turning point in the history of Israel.”
John Wesley was a “turning point” in Anglican/Reformation history.
Are we at a “turning point” today? And what are we going to do about it?

--Start new ministries to reach new generations.
--Hand over responsibility and leadership to others (and accept that they may do things “the wrong way,” translated—differently)
--Be prepared to be mentors and advisors to a new generation of Christians. They are not going to be able to make it on their own. They’ll need experienced folks like we have here to help them understand the basics of the faith, and how to ground yourself enough to do the work that God calls you to do.

--So are you ready for a Reformation? Are you ready to see the Church enter the Promised Land—or at least get a little closer to it?

Rev. Clarence W. Davis is pastor of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and he spoke these very powerful words at the funeral of a faithful member of his congregation not too long ago:

“So then, in this life, the best that we can do is to make a steady, joyful, determined, Godly march to Canaan’s edge. There at Canaan’s edge, we go home to be with God; and God comes to be with those who yet remain here on earth, on their own journey to Canaan’s edge.”

We march on—toward the Promised Land—and we must—we must—take the hands of others to come along with us—Joshua’s and Moses’ alike, so that we will get there someday together.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Casinos in Ohio? (I don't think so!)

2008-09-30T18:56:00.002-04:00

Once again, someone is trying to convince Ohioans that we need our very own "casino resort," in order to prevent all those precious gambling dollars from leaving our state to go to Michigan, West Virginia, or any of the other crime-ridden states that currently support such types of gambling.

Casino gambling is a zero-sum game--it benefits the richest (a.k.a., the owners of the casinos), and penalizes the poorest (a.k.a., the working folk who waste their hard-earned money on a fleetingly "good time.") Meanwhile, the casino owners (many of whom don't live in Ohio anyway), benefit from the lowest taxes on earth for any business, a virtual monopoly on gambling (guaranteed by the constitution, if this issue passes), and a morally-ambiguous mission that doesn't create as many jobs as it promises, brings down property values, and causes other, even more insidious types of crime and decay in its wake.

Let me make this clear: No one--not you, not me, not this state--will benefit from casino gambling, except for the casino owners themselves.

VOTE NO ON ISSUE 6!

(And yes, in case anyone is wondering, this is an official, and legal, position of The United Methodist Church, and a letter about this from the two Ohio bishops can be found here. In fact, the East and West Ohio conferences have a goal of 5,000 signs in church yards opposing gambling before election day--churches can advocate for/against issues, just not candidates.)

Yours most politically,

David

Famous for Fifteen Minutes

2008-09-03T15:09:00.003-04:00

Here is a link to my claim-to-fame (from the East Ohio Conference website, an article about my call to ministry and ordination).

Link

Hope you enjoy! (Those who haven't seen it a bazillion times by now!)

--David

Back Home Again

2008-08-25T18:19:00.003-04:00

I have been on the move recently--a week in Indianapolis and Dayton for Urban Ministry things, and then a week away on vacation with the family. We spent a great week at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, which we really enjoyed! I will post pics when we get them downloaded off the camera.

I'm mostly posting this today so my Mom won't call me and say "You haven't posted in a while!"
I'll write more later.

--David

The Senator's Prayer

2008-07-26T16:09:00.002-04:00

Senator Obama has been on the move lately--traveling throughout the Middle East and Europe over the last few weeks. Kind of makes me sad, actually--we have heard a lot "about" him, but not much "from" him, since he's been on a whirlwind tour of photo-ops with the world's leaders. I respect what he's doing, though, trying to shore up his foreign relations credentials ahead of the fall debates, when his lack of experience will be a sure target for Senator McCain.

What dismayed me, though, was this article, and others like it, which reported that someone intercepted Mr. Obama's prayer to God (placed in the Western Wall in Jerusalem), and printed it in a newspaper. Now, I regularly pray prayers that lots of people hear, and even sometimes print out prayers for others to use, but the prayers in the Western Wall are meant as direct intercessions to God, not as public fodder. What I pray on Sunday mornings out loud from the pulpit and what I pray privately on Monday mornings in my office are two different prayers altogether. We can be thankful that the Senator seems to have almost been mindful of the fact that his prayer might have been intercepted, because he actually kept the contents pretty genuine and general (No mention of "please help make me President in '08").

This incident, and all the hullabaloo about Mr. Obama's church in Chicago have gotten me thinking--to what extent do we want our politicians in this country to be genuinely religious? We want them to have the outward appearance of religion--to say the right words ("God bless the United States of America" at the end of every speech), but not to use challenging words of faith, or to be challenged by prophetic preaching (witness the Rev. Wright incident). We have what is called a "civil religion" in America, that is about 80% America, 10% Religion and 10% superstition (more on that breakdown another time), and Senator Obama is not the only victim of this. Though I do not see eye to eye with President Bush on almost anything, I can sympathize with him for facing persecution in some quarters when he talks about what I believe is a genuine faith in God's salvation. And, I felt sorry for John Kerry in '04, when he faced being evicted from his church's communion because of some of the positions he holds.

What we should be doing in this country is praying for our leaders--all of them, not just the ones we agree with--asking that God will give them the wisdom that they need, and that they will have the courage to do what is right for this country and for the good of all humanity.

So, let's spend less time worrying about what's in Obama's prayer, and more time worrying about what's in our own.

Prayerfully yours,

David

Tuesday @ the Mall

2008-07-24T16:53:00.004-04:00

I spent my first Tuesday afternoon at the mall this week. It was a bit uneventful--I talked to about a dozen families about VBS, got two prayer requests, and had one man ask me where the restrooms were! All in all, I think it's going to take time to build up a "presence" for our congregation at the mall, so I'm going to try to keep up the program for a while.

Next week starts VBS, so it will be pretty busy around here. I am playing the part of Flame, the Flamingo (he's a puppet with an outrageous French accent!), and the Bible storyteller. Looking forward to the fun!

I've posted a new picture of me in my ordination gear here, and I also posted some ordination pics on my MySpace page: www.myspace.com/macdonde.

That's all for now,

David

Post Ordination Wrap-up

2008-07-08T10:30:00.002-04:00

I know, it's been a long time since ordination!

Problem is, I usually blog at the office, and my ordination pictures are all on the computer at home--sometimes that can be the longest hundred yards in the world when it comes to getting something from over there over here, and vice versa.

Here are some pics from the conference website. Check out the Retirement and Commissioning Service to see me receiving the mantle from Liz Spiker. The ordination service pictures have some nice shots, including several angles where you can see my bald spot prominently. And, the Wednesday afternoon business session has one picture of me doing a report for the Urban Ministry Team. As Aunt Sara has wisely stated, "Why not just cut down the whole tree. . ."

Ordination was a very moving experience for me. To be surrounded by so many who love and care for me, who have supported me through these many years, and who continue to support me in ministry was truly an honor. It was also very moving to have the Bishop place his hands on my head and call down the Holy Spirit to enable me to do the work I do. "Take authority" are the words the Bishop speaks to every Elder, while placing the stole around the neck. Those words--and that garment--come with some heavy-duty responsibility. I pray that I will continue to have the strength, by the grace of God, to fulfill those obligations.

As soon as Kelly e-mails me some pictures, I'll post them here.

In the meantime, I am gearing up for a week of vacation next week--just the kids and me, since Kelly will be going to "The Promised Land" (also known as the Usborne home office in Tulsa, Oklahoma) for her national convention.

While I've got the attention of about three people in the world, let me ask a favor: Please keep my friend, David Rittgers, and his family in your prayers. David is the pastor of one of our new church starts, "The Orchard Path." He just started on July 1, has no congregation, and his wife is serving as the church secretary. Keep them in your prayers, that they might be able to reach many people with the message of Jesus' love.

In Christ,

David

Ordination Thoughts

2008-06-02T21:44:00.002-04:00

Thinking about ordination (again), and what it all means.

Heavy stuff.

"Vito's Ordination Song" by Sufjan Stevens has been swirling through my head for several days now. It's a beautiful song (I need to get the CD):

I always knew you in your mothers arms
I have called your name
I've an idea placed in your mind
to be a better man
I've made a crown for you
put it in your room
and when the bride groom comes
there will be noise
there will be glad
and a perfect bed

and when you write a poem
I know the words
I know the sounds
before you write it down
when you wear your clothes
I wear them too
I wear your shoes
and your jacket too

Ialways knew you
in your mothers arms
I have called you son
I've made amends between father and son
or if you haven't one
rest in my arms
sleep in my bed
there is a design
to what i did and said

I don't know who Vito was/is, and I don't know what his circumstances were when he was ordained, but I sure do know that these words speak to me. . ."I always knew you/in your mother's arms," "I know the words, I know the sounds, before you write them down." God's relationship to us--all of us--is so close that he knows us better than we know ourselves.

God calls all of us to special ministries--within the Church and in the World. As I near the taking of my ordination vows, I begin to feel the weight of my call bearing down on me, but I also feel God's protection, and the rest that God promises to the faithful. I also know what it means to lay aside my "heavy burden," and take up the lighter yoke of service in Jesus' name. I only pray that I can be faithful to that call, as God has been faithful to me.

Here's a YouTube video of Sufjan singing his song live (the quality isn't great, but the song is!)

"I always knew you. . ."
"Before you knit me together in my mother's womb"
"In your mother's arms."

Thanks be to God.

--David

Class of 2008

2008-05-23T15:04:00.002-04:00

Today, I gave the baccalaureate address for the Niles McKinley High School class of 2008. Boy do I feel old! When I was graduating high school, these kids were still in pre-school! O.K., I am not that old, but thinking about that fact makes you pause for a moment.

As I spoke this afternoon, I wondered, 'What are we accomplishing here?' Another milestone on their way to the cap and gown, another step on the way to bigger and better things. What could I possibly say that could inspire these kids? Not much. But I hope that this service was an opportunity for them to hear that their community loves and honors them, and that we're all behind them in their achievements. I hope they saw a young(er) pastor, and thought, 'Hmm, maybe I could do that some day--though not in as geeky a way, for sure.'

The phrase that I began my sermon with was the quotation by Abe Lincoln that was carved into the Summit county sandstone in my high school auditorium-- "I will study and get ready, and perhaps some day my chance will come." Prophetic words from a young Lincoln, unsure of what to do with his education, and not sure how he could ever make a difference in this world as a gangly lawyer from Illinois. Now, another gangly lawyer from Illinois (by way of Hawaii and Indonesia) is poised to make just as much history, thanks in no small part to Mr. Lincoln's leadership.

I think I'm going to go outside now and get my bike ready for the riding season. Our church is taking a bike ride (gulp--22 miles round trip!) at the end of June, and I am pretty sure I am not in any shape to attempt that without any buildup.

See you on the road,

David

It's Over! (For me, anyway)

2008-05-02T21:56:00.002-04:00

Well, my 2008 General Conference experience has officially come to an end. The delegates are still in session, but our shift as marshals and pages has ended, so we are all back at our hotel rooms, relaxing and packing for the journey home. I'm tired, but it has been a good two weeks, and I have learned a lot. This will be a short blog post, because, frankly, I need to get away from General Conference for a while before I can fully digest all the information and experiences that I have racked up while here. Watch this space for future reflections. For now, I'm going to bed.

Pray for safe travels for all of us returning home in the next 24 hours.

--David

At the Crossroads

2008-05-02T01:58:00.003-04:00

Today, I found new hope for The United Methodist Church in the form of Bishop Hee-Soo Jung. Bishop Jung, the preacher at this morning's worship, spoke of the need for our denomination to recognize that we are at a crossroads--what he called "the intersection between holiness and hospitality." Holiness describes our connection to God, a deep relationship that gives us strength. Hospitality describes our connection to others--a wide embrace of all people, created in God's image. Bishop Jung also spoke of the need to "re-member" the Body of Christ--meaning that we need to be able to see a way to put ourselves back together. Too much focus on either holiness or hospitality creates a false idolatry--one that we all too often fall prey to in the Church. Bishop Jung closed by reminding us that, ultimately, it is not we who save ourselves through having the right opinion about Jesus, but Jesus who saves us by his love--stretched out on the cross.

This sermon gave me courage. It gave me hope (there's that word again!). It gave me a reason to believe that The United Methodist Church does have a future, despite our differences, and despite the idolatries that sometimes get in our way.

It's really late, and I'm going to bed. Only one more day of General Conference left, and miles more to go. . .

Traveling on to perfection,

David

P.S.-- I finally got to connect up with Aunt Sara's pastor, Rev. Jim Winkler. He said that he thinks very highly of her and Carl Henry, and believes that Carl would "eat this up" if he were at General Conference.

A Word For Those Who Are Discouraged. . .

2008-05-01T00:20:00.002-04:00

Tonight was not a good night for justice in The United Methodist Church. Once again, our denomination's top legislative body voted to keep the exclusionary language that defines homosexuality as "incompatible with Christian teaching," and to deny even the possibility of ordination to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered persons. It hurts. I know, I felt it too, and I cried along with the delegates and visitors as hundreds sang "Jesus Loves Me" in a tribute to those left behind by our denomination. But I also have hope.

I have hope because of a few simple words spoken by Bishop Judy Craig in the summer of 2007. She said, (I am paraphrasing) "General Conference is one thousand delegates in one big room for ten days. But it is not the Church. The church is out there, in your communities, where people meet God every day, and all are welcome." That's why I have hope, because I know that the people I serve back in Niles are loving, caring, committed Christians, who would welcome anyone who came to their doors, and would love any person who truly wanted to be a part of their community. I also know that there are many more people out there like that, in communities all across the globe. Our United Methodist Church is bigger than the one thousand people in that arena, many of whom were elected either through name recognition or their position on this very issue.

Ultimately, my faith in God and in Jesus Christ is not dependent on the words and actions of General Conference. My faith is based on the love of God, which I have experienced through the sacrificial love modeled by Jesus, and lived out by the people around me--gay and straight, conservative and liberal, Methodist or not.

Now, for my friends Mary K., Bob, Jane, and Tim, here's the story I told you all at breakfast this morning. For everyone else, it may be useful for you, too.

What I Learned from the Labyrinth:

Once, when I was walking and praying the labyrinth at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, I encountered a man who was walking the opposite direction. That is to say that as I was walking in toward the center of the labyrinth, he was walking from the center out. But, for a short time, we were on paths that were directly next to each other, and we were walking in the same direction. Even though we had different goals, we were both on the same journey. It is this way for us in life also.

I hope it helps. I know that I joke and get a little silly at times, but I really do care about these issues, and about all the wonderful people I have come to meet because of this General Conference. No matter what decisions are made here in Fort Worth, I will have discovered a new part of my Christian family tree, and that is worth the price of admission.

God Bless, and Pray for the Delegates and Staff,
David

Thanks to All Who Voted

2008-04-30T11:16:00.002-04:00

The caption poll has closed, but I want to thank all those (all ten of you) who voted. It looks like "Bishop Palmer as Al Roker" has won the clear majority, with 70%. There will be a new poll up shortly. Please vote early and often.

By the way, I saw Bishop Palmer up close last night (I was a "stage page" again), and he really doesn't look all that much like Al Roker in person--in fact, he has mustache, which I had not noticed before, that makes him look distinctly un-Roker like. Oh well, it was still pretty funny!

Yours photogenically,

David

A Visit From the President (of Liberia)

2008-04-29T17:53:00.000-04:00

Today, we heard from the President of Liberia, Her Excellency, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Bishop John Innis, the bishop of Liberia, introduced the President by telling the remarkable story of how she came to be president and how she came to speak to us. She has had a fascinating journey, even having been put under arrest once for speaking out against the government of the time. In 2006, she became the first woman to ever serve as president of an African country.

The president has a distinguished, almost regal, air about her, and speaks with the careful consideration of a person who is well acquainted with speaking to crowds as large as this. She was greeted by a thunderous standing ovation, accompanied by the ululations of several African women in the hall.

I found it particularly touching that Mrs. Johnson Sirleaf was also welcomed by the children of the “Hope for Africa” children’s choir, about whom I have already blogged. What a message of hope for these children—not only that a person from their continent is addressing the General Conference, but that a woman—the first woman president in African history—has proven that a child from Africa can become whatever he or she desires to be.

Some comments from the speech:

Poverty:
-- 3 billion people (nearly half the population of the world) live on less than $2.00 a day.

-- 270 million children around the world have no access to health services.

--1 child dies every three seconds from preventable causes.

Children:
--Many children in Liberia were “drafted” to become soldiers in the civil war that took place in that country.

--44% of children in Liberia are enrolled in schools, the majority of whom are girls.

--Incentives are now being offered to talented people who will serve as teachers in rural Liberia.

Democracy:
--Development cannot succeed, unless the citizens are involved in conception and implementation of the development plans.

--The United Methodist Church has stood with the people of Liberia for over 175 years, since we sent the first missionaries to that country (the country’s first president, and the longest serving president, were both United Methodists).

The United Methodist Church owns and runs schools, hospitals, clinics, and rural outposts throughout Liberia.

The people of Liberia are thankful for the Church’s assistance in the past, but the people of Africa need the Church more now than ever before.

--Mrs. Johnson Sirleaf urged the delegates to consider establishing a Western Africa campus for Africa University.

--Children and Youth in Africa are truly our hope for the future; once, when the Presidential security team came through Liberia to prepare the way for the President’s convoy, children ran away. Now, when they know the President is coming, they flock the convoy and encourage her to get out and greet them.

“Liberia is on the way back. Africa is on the way back. There is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.”

“Our world can indeed be made a future of hope and peace.”

After her speech, the president was greeted by the Council of Bishops, one by one. One bishop even paused to take a picture of her with his cell phone! I guess even bishops get a little star-struck now and then.

Once again, we are shown that there is a “future with hope” in another part of our world.

Peace,

David

Hope for the Future of Africa. . .And, a little slice of Cowtown

2008-04-28T23:20:00.002-04:00

Today, I sat in the plenary hall as the "Hope for the Children of Africa" Choir from Uganda practiced for a "celebration moment." Just a year ago, these twenty four children were orphaned and in extreme poverty. Now, they have been given food, clothing, a safe place to live, and a quality education. And, they have been able to travel to this country, to share their beautiful voices and smiling faces with all of us. I cried as I listened to them, both during their rehearsal and during their performance. Their beautiful faith in Jesus Christ, who has meant freedom and a new life for them, touched me in a way I have not been touched in a long time. As I listened, I imagined my own two children, and how lucky they are to have a mother and a father, a home and a school nearby, and safety, food, and love in abundance. How lucky we all are in the U.S., and how complacent we become, when we take for granted all the blessings that God has given us. How blessed we are when we can realize the gifts God gives us--the simple things in life. I pray that the delegates got as much hope from this experience as I did. Maybe the memory of that moment will help them to make the wise decisions that are needed from them at this time in our church history.

A clip of the choir can be found by clicking here (The video is about halfway down the page).

On a different note, a group of us from the Marshal and Page corps went to the Fort Worth Stockyards tonight for some "Cowtown Culture" and a good steak. We accomplished both of these, first by taking a look-see around (I'm hoping that Mary K sends me a copy of the picture of all of us in front of the cattle pens--if she does, I'll post it), and then by going to dinner at Riscky's Steakhouse. Gooooooood eats! Everyone at the MacDonald house (barring the dogs and the cat) now has a souvenir, and I'm happy to have gotten the chance to see this interesting part of Texas.

Long day ahead tomorrow. The President of Liberia is coming to Conference, and there will be lots of work to do to welcome her.

Y'all take care,

David

Sin and Cell Phones

2008-04-27T20:22:00.003-04:00

Much has been made over the past two days about “the cell phones.” This, of course, is shorthand (Methodist-speak, if you will), for a controversy that has arisen over a gift given by a special interest group to a block of delegates from outside the U.S.

It goes like this: The Renewal Coalition held a dinner for delegates from outside the U.S., or those from the “Central Conferences.” At this dinner, there was much talk about how The United Methodist Church needs to be renewed, and how we’ve gone astray, and how we must vote to keep the liberal agenda from destroying the denomination. At the end of the dinner, boxes were handed out to about 150 delegates from Africa and the Philippines. Inside these boxes were pre-paid cell phones—a gift from the Renewal Coalition. On top of the boxes were letters, from “Your Friends in The United Methodist Church,” encouraging, in part, that the African and Filipino delegates vote for a specific slate of officers for the Judicial Council, the highest "court" in the United Methodist "legal system."

What?

You read it right.

Don't get me wrong, I think that delegates from outside the U.S. have a distinct disadvantage when it comes to the technology afforded them, but it seems a bit underhanded, and yes, even a little un-Methodist, to go about rectifying the situation this way.

I wrote that "much has been made of this," but really, as I talk to folks back home, there's no indication that this news has even been a blip on the news radar screen. General Conference is such a rarified environment, filled with tension and a fair amount of exhaustion. Cell phones become a big thing when you're locked up in a convention center for two weeks with 1,600 petitions to get through. And tensions can get high when you're in such an environment.

I've been going around this week telling people that I'm much calmer this year than I ever have been about the outcome of General Conference. Maybe it's because I'm getting a new perspective on it. Maybe it's because I've grown since 2000. Or maybe it's because I've seen the care and concern that the delegates are showing in their committees and meetings. The Holy Spirit is flowing in the hearts and minds of the people here, even despite the politics and wrangling (no Texas pun intended). I see it in the careful attention to detail that Matthew Laferty (East Ohio) takes in chairing the legislative committee on Conferences. I see it in the way the delegates keep reminding one another to "slow down," so the translators can keep up, and the non-U.S. delegates can hear. I see it in the hallways and in the hotels and on the shuttles, when the barriers are down and the fatigue of the day has set in. And, I see it when we worship, and 3,000 plus voices are raised in praise of the Almighty God.

Call me an optimist, or maybe I'm just still hopelessly in love with this denomination, but I still think there's hope. I really need to get some more sleep--I'm getting too mushy.

Grace and Peace,

David

Rural Ministry, Bishops, and Central America, Oh My!

2008-04-26T15:12:00.003-04:00

This morning's plenary session was filled with reports from committtees and study task forces. We heard from the task force that has studied the issue of bishops in the church, and some of their recommendations. Then, we heard from our friends in the rural church, as they highlighted the fact that Jesus himself came from a small rural town (Nazareth). Finally, one of my favorite bishops, Minerva Carcano (Desert Southwest), along with Bishop Elias Galvan, presented the report of the task force to study the relationships between The UMC and the various Central and South American Methodist churches, and the Methodists in the Carribbean.
It was all very interesting--not that I had much time to focus, since I was up, down, and all around, passing notes with important information on them ("Meet me for lunch at Joe's"). Everyone wanted the people on the stage to know that it was COLD in the arena--not that the stage party had to be told--it was positively frigid!

After the morning session broke up, there was a communion service, held at the central table, which is at the intersection of the four sections of delegate seating. It was a small crowd, not nearly a huge percentage of the delegates, but the best part of the thing is that "outsiders" were allowed to participate. The bishop who led the service spoke mostly in French, and it was interesting to hear the liturgy, so familiar to me, spoken in a different language than my own. It was actually pretty easy to piece together what was being said, since he followed the standard United Methodist liturgy. What an example of inclusion!

Bob (my roomate) and I attended the Rural Life celebration (free lunch), and I got to see the Fort Worth Water Gardens--a literal oasis in the middle of this bustling city.

One thought that has been on replay in my head this morning is this quote from Bishop Hutchinson: "Have we as a Church been baptized into form, but not yet into power?" I pray that the delegates of this conference will continue to feel the presence of the Spirit of God, and will be "born from above" as they make decisions that are important not just in this convention center, but around the world.

Taking a break for now,

David

P.S.-- Thank you to the person who sought me out in session today to tell me you quoted from my blog on your blog! I'm sorry I forgot your name, but if you see me again, please make yourself known!

A Quiet(er) Day.

2008-04-25T23:31:00.002-04:00

Today was relatively quiet for me. We were able to sleep in, since our shift didn't start until 1:30 in the afternoon. I was slated to work the legislative committee on Higher Education and Ministry. The committee had broken up into sub groups in order to deal with the large load of petitions they had, so I was assigned to the sub committee dealing with Candidacy for ministry. They had an interesting discussion regarding the purpose of the candidacy process, and the "kinks" in the current process. I found it hard to: 1) not chime in on the discussion, and 2) not fall over, since my feet were killing me! I did get a chance to be useful, though, which gives me a sense of job satisfaction. I also got to see Valerie Stultz (my former D.S.), who is a member of the sub-committee.

During my off time this morning, I took a little walk around the downtown area of Fort Worth. It's a very nice city! There was a clean air festival downtown, which seemed fun. I stopped in a bookstore and had a cup of tea and a snack, and generally took in the sights and sounds of the city.

Dinner tonight was one of the highlights of the day--Angelo's Barbecue, which had real authentic atmosphere, and some really good food! If you ever get to Fort Worth, leave the downtown area and head for Angelo's.

People are beginning to buzz about what's happening to the various pieces of legislation coming before the committees and the conference. One thing I've noticed here in Fort Worth that was not evident in Cleveland is the distinct feeling that people actually want to have a civil discussion. Sure, there are nutters on both sides of every issue that want to have it their way or no way, but you'll have that. What I've observed on the part of the delegates this year is a concerted effort to make sure that everyone's voice is heard, that fairness takes precedence over politics, and that the Spirit of God is felt in everything they do. All this makes me believe that there must be "a future with hope" for our Church.

Tomorrow, I will get my first chance to serve on the plenary floor of the conference. I will be sitting by microphone number 12, helping the delegates fill out the paperwork that must be submitted every time they speak to an issue or make a motion. I look forward to getting the chance to see the workings of the conference from that perspective--something that I've been wanting to do for a long time!

Pray for the delegates as they work through a long weekend.

I'm going to bed,

David.

Poll

2008-04-24T18:23:00.001-04:00

Check out this picture, and then answer the poll to the left.

Have Fun!

--David

A First. . .

2008-04-24T17:48:00.002-04:00

. . .for me, and for the General Conference.

This morning, I was one of many thousands who witnessed, for the first time ever, a "Young People's Address" to the General Conference. As I said to my roomate, Bob, this was the first time I have ever felt that someone was speaking for me at a General Conference. These amazing young people, from all around the world, spoke some of the hard truths that our church needs to hear--about ministry with young people, and ministry in general. I applaud them for having the bravery and the eloquence to bring this message to us. When the address comes online, I'll post a link here.

I served (for 6 1/2 hours) this morning, as a "stage page," which meant that my job was to look after the Bishops. This was easy for the first two hours, since the bishops were not there! They were sitting around the outside of the bar of the conference, so that they could participate in the Episcopal address, which focused on the theme of holy communion. It was an effective presentation, expertly executed by Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher. When she was finished, I had a piece of mail to deliver to her, and she had a distinctly relieved look on her face!

I spoke with Bishop Hopkins today, along with some of the other members of the East Ohio delegation, and have met several other very nice people. My fellow Pages and Marshals are some of the nicest people--I guess you have to be, in order to be able to tell people "no" with a smile on your face, as we have been occasionally called on to do.

One other thing-- pray for the safety of the Bishops. The stage on which they are seated has several different levels, and I had at least three Bishops almost land flat on their faces at my feet today. The last thing we want is a Bishop in a cast, or worse, in the hospital for something more serious. I made sure to say "please mind your step, Bishop," as often as I could remember!

God Bless everyone. Pray for me, as I go to serve soon in a Legislative Committee this evening.

Hope for the Future,

David

A Storm of Hope

2008-04-24T06:50:00.002-04:00

Sorry no post yesterday--this was because of two reasons:

1. It was a long day. We had orientation for three hours in the morning, followed by a quick lunch and then worship rehearsal (an event that we sat through in its entirety, only to be told at the last minute by our supervisors exactly what we needed to do). Then, we had a few hours off to explore the convention center and get to know the lay of the land. Worship began at 6:00, which meant we were in place at 4:30, and we finally got dinner last night at 8:45. Thanks to the nice folks at Panera, we were allowed in at the last minute, before the restaurant closed, and they let us stay around after they locked the doors. That was great, because of reason #2.

2. There was a HUGE storm in Fort Worth last night! When we first arrived in Ft. Worth, I marveled at the very large storm drains, thinking, "Wow, everything in texas really is bigger!" Now I know why. This was not just a storm, it was a driving rain, pouring down deluge, what the old folks used to call a "gully warsher." Bob and I both got soaked--and I even had an umbrella!

All of this was nothing compared to the awesome opening worship last night. The theme of the conference, "A Future With Hope," provided the setting. As worshippers entered the arena, they were invited to dip their hands in baptismal fonts and asked to "remember your baptism and be thankful." (This was my job) I was interested at how this simple action forced people to slow down, breathe, and begin worship in a different mindset than they may have had when they arrived. The music was tremendous--there is nothing like General Conference music to inspire you! We heard music from Africa, Asia, the United States, and even a Charles Wesley hymn or two.

Bishop Janice Huie was the preacher. She spoke in her sermon of how the word "hope" has lost its muscle in today's world--people speak of hope as if it is a mere wish or desire, rather than faith in the unseen blessings of God. She called this former kind of hope a "marshmallow hope," that easily melts and changes shape under pressure or heat. But the hope that we have as Christians, and as United Methodists, is that God is a great God who has plans for us--plans that may not come to fruition until we are all long gone, but plans that will carry on the Church and the work of Christ more many, many, more years to come.

When we got back to our hotel last night, we found the storm had knocked out our electricity--thus, no blogging. But, it was a great day, filled with reminders of the Holy Spirit's presence in our Church, and with true Hope for the future.

Today begins the marathon of sessions, speeches, and standing around (for me), but I can't wait to get started.

Check out videos and live streaming coverage of the conference at the website here.

I'm on the Ground

2008-04-23T07:40:00.002-04:00

I have arrived in Texas, and the Lonestar state is hot! It was over 80 degrees when I arrived, but I planned ahead and wore shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. I met my roomate, Bob, at the airport, and he had a well-planned out route for us to take from the airport to the hotel. About three hours and three modes of transportation later, we arrived, had a great evening meal, and a good night's sleep. Bob is from the Wyoming Conference (not where you would think it is-- www.wyomingconference.org), and has been a pastor for about as long as I've been alive! We've found some common interests and experiences, so I think we'll get along really well.

When we arrived in Fort Worth itself last night, we saw the convention center. It's true what they say--everything is bigger in Texas! The conference center takes up about four or five city blocks, and kind of looks like a space ship from the outside--must be the Texas connection to the space program. Folks here are very friendly and helpful, and of the non-natives, all the people we've met so far have been connected to the General Conference.

More later, but I wanted everyone to know that I'm safe, sound, and on the ground. I'll try to get some pics in future posts, so you can see some of what I'm talking about.

Take Care, Y'all,

David

One More Day!

2008-04-21T15:56:00.003-04:00

Only one day left until General Conference starts. Pray for me as I head to Texas tomorrow. Pray for the delegates as they make important decisions, and participate in the "holy conferencing."

Information about General Confernce, and a very nice legislation tracking application, can be found at: www.gc2008.umc.org.

Watch this space for updates from the site of the Conference. . .

Yours in Service,

David

Spiritual Gifts Assesment

2008-04-17T09:46:00.001-04:00

For those of you who are members of our New Members Orientation Class, here is the link for the Spiritual Gifts assesment. Please complete it and bring your results to our next class.

For others, you might enjoy taking the assesment and finding out what your gifts happen to be, too!

United Methodist Spiritual Gifts Assesment (click to open)

Yours in Giftedness,

David

And So the Politicking Begins. . .

2008-04-14T12:30:00.002-04:00

Despite a concerted effort on the part of the official channels of The United Methodist Church to avoid a "divisive" General Conference, the websites of the various caucus groups have begun their full-scale efforts to influence the voting of that body when it meets beginning next week.

Don't get me wrong, I think there is a significant place for the various interest groups, within and without our denomination. Many of the social justice issues that The UMC has taken a stance on in the past 40 years (and more, in our predecessor denominations) were taken because of pressure from groups like MFSA, BMRC, RMN, and yes, even Good News and the Confessing Movement. The Church needs to hear the voices of all its members if we are to truly have "Open hearts, Open minds, and Open doors."

Having said that, it is disturbing to me that many of the above organizations (and others like them) tend to see General Conference as an opportunity for more of the "us versus them" politicking that has taken hold of our denomination. Every four years, we see the gears turning, on both sides of all the "hot button" issues, to change our denomination either into a bastion of conservative theology, or a haven of liberal concerns. I have, in the past, been a part of these debates (those of you who know me well will know which side I have been on), and I still hold many of those same positions dear to me. However, I have grown to see that The United Methodist Church is a place where such differences of opinion can co-exist fairly easily, with opportunities to be in "holy conferencing" from time to time to allow ourselves a chance to breathe in God's Holy Spirit and seek the guidance of our collective wisdom on matters of importance to the Church and the World.

What concerns me is not that these groups have an agenda--we all have one of those--but that so many are willing to use John Wesley, the Book of Discipline, and even scripture to defend, build up, and support their positions. And, I am disturbed by the fact that no one seems to think that the fact that the "other side" seems to have just as many quotes to support their position--a fact that ought to convince us all of the folly of "proof-texting" to make a point.

All of this is a not-very-clear way of saying that I hope and pray that General Conference 2008 will be different--in tone, in style, and in substance. I pray that the delegates will be able to tackle the tough issues, even the ones that come up time and time again, but that they will be able to do so in an atmosphere of grace and graciousness, in a spiritof peace and cooperation, and in a manner befitting the call that we have to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

Watch this space for updates from Fort Worth.

Yours in Service to Christ and the Church,

David

Preparing for General Conference

2008-04-08T15:37:00.002-04:00

Things are beginning to come together for my trip to serve as a Page at General Conference. I have my hotel (and roomate) lined up, flights to and from Fort Worth, and I'm beginning to get into the mindset of what it will take to be useful to the delegates, bishops, and observers of this interesting and monumental event.

Last night, while Kelly was at a meeting and the kids were in bed, I read through some of the almost 1,600 petitions that have been sent to the delegates--believe me, I don't envy those who have to read them in a more in-depth manner than I did! You can track specific pieces of legislation at the General Conference Website here. I am fascinated by the strange and sometimes downright crazy petitions that get sent to General Conference. For instance, there are two petitions (yes, I said two) that seek to change the wording of the Apostle's Creed. Apparently the Apostles didn't get it right the first time, so it's up to The United Methodist Church to put things right. There was also a petition seeking to hold lay staff members of churches up to the same moral (i.e. non-homosexual) standards that ministers are held to. Now, I actually have no problem with the denomination setting standards for ministers, but as far as I am concerned--I don't care who you sleep with at night, or what sort of relationship you are in--if you can do the job, you should be able to be hired by a local church, providing that the local church has no problem with your orientation or lifestyle.

Wow--that soap box can get pretty high sometimes; makes me dizzy. That's what I'm going to have to try to avoid as a General Conference Page. We received a list recently of the behaviors expected of General Conference staff, and one of them was that we are not to advocate for any cause or participate in any caucusing or lobbying. Fair enough. I'm looking forward to seeing G.C. from a different perspective this time. The last time I went, in Cleveland, I had no such restriction, and had a definite agenda as to what I thought should be the outcome of the Conference. Alas, we didn't rename ourselves "The Super-Wesley Bunch" then, and I don't think it's going to happen this time, either. (It's a joke--you're allowed to laugh.)

As I prepare, I invite all the readers of this blog (all three of you) to be in prayer with me: for the delegates, bishops, and staff of the General Conference, for the visitors to the Fort Worth Convention Center, and for the witness that we will make to the world in a few weeks' time that we truly are UNITED Methodists. Prayer resources for the Conference can be found here. Also, please pray for my feet and hips--which are always the first casualties when I have to be on my feet for long periods of time, which will happen a lot between April 22 and May 3.

Watch this space for updates,

David

New Member of the Family

2008-04-03T11:42:00.002-04:00

No, we're not expecting a baby!

Actually, we adopted a new "baby" to our family, in the form of a furry friend. He's about three months old, a collie/retriever mix, and he just showed up in the church parking lot about a week ago. We put an ad in the paper looking for his family, but no responses were forthcoming. We figure that he was probably dumped in the park by someone who either couldn't (or wouldn't) take care of him.

He's really cute, and we call him "Cheese." (Get it? Mack and Cheese!)

Potty training is going pretty well--he is down to only one or two accidents a day, depending on how observant we are!

Pictures will be posted as soon as we can get him to sit still long enough to get one that isn't a big blur.

Meanwhile, Mack and Tiger Lilly (especially Tiger) are going through the difficult process of accepting another fuzzy member of the family.

Covered in shed fur,

David

A Truly Holy Week. . .

2008-03-19T11:02:00.003-04:00

Here we are in the middle of what most Pastors call "the busiest week of the year." Everyone I talk to says that Holy Week seems to have crept up on them this year. And it's true--it seems as if we just recovered from Christmas, and now we're in the middle of another holy season. But for me, though this week always brings a bit more busyness than usual, Holy Week is a chance for reflection and thought about what our faith is really all about.

Why did Jesus die on the cross?
What is up with the resurrection?
What does all this mean for me today?

These are all big questions, and for many of us, they are lifelong kinds of questions--the ones that really may never get an answer. But Holy Week is all about asking those questions. This season confronts us with our uncertainties, reminds us that they are neither new nor original to our generation, and helps us begin to answer them, each in our own way.

This year, we are marking Holy Saturday in our church, a new service for us as a congregation, but a very old service as far as the Church is concerned. During our Vigil, we will be reminding ourselves of the "between-time" and "between-space" that Saturday of Holy Week provides--from this vantage point, we can glimpse both the cross and the empty tomb. And then, at the end of the service, we will renew our baptismal vows. And I think that's appropriate, because it serves as a reminder that we always glimpse the cross and the empty tomb at baptism, for we have "died with Christ," and we are raised again with him, in the promise of eternal life.

So, if you have the answers to any of the above questions about Easter, let me know. I'll want to talk to you about them, because I think that what you will probably discover is that our "answers" to such questions can only ever be tentative, at best. But thanks be to God, when Christ appears to us again, "we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."

A Blessed Holy Week to You,

David

I'm In!

2008-03-03T18:34:00.001-05:00

I just got word tonight from the convener of my interview team for ordination--and I'm approved! 100% Grade-A recommended for ordination.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God all creatures here below,
Praise God above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

Thanks be to God,

David

Confirmation Station Up and Running!

2008-02-29T15:23:00.001-05:00

The first post has been added to Confirmation Station.

Click here to go see it!

Yours electronically,

David

A snowy day in Northeast Ohio.

2008-02-26T16:10:00.002-05:00

Another snowy day in Northeast Ohio. This has been a wintery winter! Schools were closed in many of the surrounding communities--but not in Niles, where our motto is, "It builds character!" The Red Dragons were out in full force today--meaning that this town has the most character-built children in the country.

On a happy note, I have recovered from yet another bout of flu, this one having come on Wednesday of last week. I got over that in time for the Men's retreat at Camp Wanake this past weekend, and I am looking forward to a busy weekend this week. We have the youth group lock-in on Friday night, contemporary worship on Saturday, and the Baked Potato / Salad dinner (to raise money for my trip to General Conference) on Sunday. To top that all off, I have my interview for ordination on Monday (all day), followed by an Alumni Council meeting at Methesco on Tuesday. It's good to be well again!

For those who might be interested, I have started a second blog. I know, you must be thinking, "Why start a second blog, when this one is rarely updated?" But, this one is for the confirmands and mentors at the church. I haven't posted anything there yet, but I will soon, as information is forthcoming. Here's the link: www.confirmationstation.blogspot.com

Happy Lent,
David

Being Sick Is No Fun

2008-02-11T10:35:00.000-05:00

You name it, and our family has probably had it in the last couple of weeks--sicknesses galore!

I think we may finally be getting back on an even keel, though Kelly is still feeling a little queasy from the last bout of stomach stuff that she had.

Being sick and in bed reminds you of what's truly important in life--being able to hold your head upright, washing, keeping food down--things like that. It also gives you lots of time to reflect. Too bad I didn't do that. I played computer games instead (and watched primary/caucus results when they were available).

So, let this be a lesson for all of us--if you get sick, use your time wisely. Don't play computer games like I did; or, maybe your getting sick is God's way of reminding you to slow down, and that you need to try to beat your high score on Gem Blaster.

Be Well,

David

Some Links

2008-01-17T15:14:00.000-05:00

A lot of people have been asking me about the churches I talked about in my sermon this Sunday. I am glad that the stories I told had such a positive impact for so many folks!

Here are some links that you might find useful, if you want to learn more:

Cass Community United Methodist Church

Second Grace United Methodist Church

Solomon's Porch

These stories have inspired me to think "outside the building" as I look forward to this new year. I can see our congregation being involved in so many great ministries as we reach out to touch the lives of people who are in need of the message of God's love and redemption.

As my part of going beyond our building, I plan on dedicating myself to starting a Christian meditation group somewhere in the Niles, Ohio area in the next year. I plan to advertise the group widely, and look for a meeting space (not in our church building--somewhere out in the community) where people can come together once a month for prayer and meditation.

Anyone got any suggestions on meeting places (preferrably free or very low cost)?

It's an idea--still in the germination stage, but a call from God that I'm feeling pretty strongly right now.

Think. Pray. Act.

--David

Merry Christmas. . .

2007-12-24T15:40:00.000-05:00

I must admit I've been feeling a little Grinchy lately--all the trappings and trimmings, ribbons and bows, noise and traffic have been getting the best of me. Add to that the fact that the days are short and the dark comes on quickly, and it's made for a bit of a slump--spiritually and emotionally. Plus, I've got a cold--something that inevitably happens just before the BIG DAY every year.

Today, I've been feeling a little better--we're coming down to the wire for the Chrsitmas Eve services at church, and I'm geared up for worship tomorrow. Now I just want to focus on watching the kids have a great holiday, and remembering the true reason for the season--naps.

Yes, I know that the birth of Christ is important, but the ability to take some time off and actually be able to nap is a rare thing indeed. So, I'm looking forward to some R&R time, which should remove some of the Grinchies from me.

Tonight as I lead the congregation in worship, I resolve to remember that it is the message of this night that keeps me (and them) coming back, year after year, to that lousy stable in Bethlehem, to stand in the cold night air and marvel once again at the fact that God has come among us--not as a king or a ruler, but as one who is in need of a diaper change. God is in the helpless, the homeless, the hopeless, the distraught. God is in the Grinches. God is in the ribbons and the bows, the trees and the trimmings. God is in you. God is in me. Thank God for that--it's the only thing that keeps me going, some days.

Merry Christmas, and God Bless Us, Every One,

David

A Christmas Letter

2007-12-11T11:37:00.000-05:00

This was the letter I published in this month's "Messenger," our church newsletter. I hope that others will find it useful:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Much has been said in the media over the past few years about the “war on Christmas.” We hear tales of stores banning employees from saying “Merry Christmas” to customers, and schools or other public institutions banning religious references during the Christmas season. I’m writing to you today to say that I’m not bothered by it.

As I’ve said before, our Christian faith is not dependent on the government or popular opinion. In fact, I’m not sure the Christian faith has ever benefited from being tied to the government or those in power. We function best when we remain who we are—a body of believers who go against the grain, and dare to celebrate the fact that God would come to us in human form in order to save us all from violence and sin.

The “war on Christmas” is nothing new. In 1627, the Parliament of England (ruled by Christian Puritans) banned the writing and singing of Christmas carols, declaring them to be part of a “worldly celebration,” and thus unworthy of “a Christian nation.” For this reason, there were very few Christmas carols in existence in English society around the time of the Wesley’s and their folk. Charles Wesley, who wrote over 9,000 hymns and poems in his lifetime, sat down to try and convey the sense of the holiness of Christ’s birth using hymns and carols that would stand the test of time and taste. He managed to write several Christmas hymns, but the one for which he is most remembered is “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing!”

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild

God and sinners reconciled!"

The words of this hymn are sung many times each Christmas, and often, we don’t recall their radical nature unless we pause to look at them clearly. This is not just a sentimental song about a cute baby. This is a hymn to the Almighty God, who came in the form of a baby, because that is the only form in which he could come that would not seem as threatening (at first) as if he were to come in his true form. The world has always been against Christmas—not because of political correctness or civil libertarians—but because the world is never ready to admit that we are all in need of God. The world would have us believe that we can make it on our own. God reminds us that even he needed the help of a mother in order to make it through the first years of his earthly life.

The real threat to Christmas is not in the halls of government or in the malls of this country, but in those who are unwilling to confront God as God truly is—a crying baby needing help; a homeless man who wanders the countryside teaching others to love; a condemned man hanging on a cross to save the whole world from itself. This is the reason for the season. This is why it will always be a Merry Christmas, no matter what the person behind the counter at Wal-Mart says to you.
My wish for you and your family this Christmas season is that you will find the love of Christ being born anew in your midst. From the MacDonald Family to you—Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Your Servant in Christ,

Pastor David

Social Justice and the Internet

2007-11-19T11:39:00.000-05:00

Recently, while watching my daily dose of CNN, I came across a story about how Yahoo (my default search engine, and the web page my browser automatically opens up to) may have helped the Chinese government put a journalist in jail, by giving the government information from this person's Yahoo account and activity. (See story here.)

This turn of events leads me to ask the question--how can a person who seeks to live a life after the example of Christ, and who is concerned about social justice, participate in, subscribe to, or do business with an organization or business that seems to take an off-hands approach to issues of social justice? For that matter, how can one not do business with corporations or companies that seem to not care about issues of social justice? It seems like so many companies have gotten so big that they can't keep tabs on all their sub-contractors and regional offices. How can we be sure that every company we do business with is socially responsible? The answer (sadly), is that we cannot. We may be able to win moral victories now and then (I have stopped using Yahoo), but changing the world will have to be a "long term" goal on our agenda.

Sounds hopeless, doesn't it? It should, because individual efforts often are. Together, though, and with the help and power of God, we may be able to make a difference in the long run.

God bless the renegade journalists, and those who support and aid them,

David

"The Peace of the Lord Be With You"

2007-10-24T15:36:00.000-04:00

These words went through my head today as I was thinking about the sacrament of communion. A traditional part of the communion liturgy is the "Passing of the Peace," in which the people exchange signs of peace before coming to the Table. To me, this is a significant part of the sacrament, as integral to it as the bread and wine, because it is the peace shared between brothers and sisters in the faith of Jesus Christ that provide the basis for our "Great Thanksgiving" which blesses and sets apart the elements of the bread and the wine.

Why is peace among brothers and sisters in Christ so important?
For one thing, it sets a good example for outsiders, who so often can use the ammunition of our actions as Christians in our weaker moments against us, calling us hypocrites because we preach lovde and practice division. For another thing, the peace gets us in the right state of mind to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. For it is only when we are at peace with others that we may be at peace with our selves, and it is only when we are at peace with our selves that we may come to be at peace with God, and thus fully participate in communion.

So, may the peace of the Lord be with you. Now and always.

--David

A Name Tag Lost in the Woods

2007-10-08T10:35:00.000-04:00

Last Thursday, I took a day off--not really a day off, since I worked in the evening, but a day off in the sense that I wasn't in the office all day, and I didn't do any "minister-y" stuff for the bulk of the day. Instead, I took a day to go off to the woods: to pray, meditate, and write; just me and my dog. Mack was a very well-behaved boy. (Don't tell anyone, but I let him off the leash for a little while when we were in the deepest part of the woods--he loved it! Ran around in the stream, chased squirells, and generally had a grand time getting dirty.)

When you walk in the woods, especially in a public park or forest, you see places where people have left their mark. The occasional piece of litter dots the trail, or some knucklehead has carved his initials into a tree trunk. But on this day, I found something that, in my writing/spiritual/seeking after knowledge mood, got me to thinking. It was a name tag--one of those blank "Hello my name is. . ." kinds of things, that had somehow lost its stickiness and come off the shirt of the person wearing it. I won't publish the person's name on it, but for now let's say her name was Jenny. I wondered to myself who Jenny was, and what had brought her (and her name tag) to this particular park. I surmised that she was probably a child (there were lots of kids at the park that day, on a school trip, no doubt), and that the name tag was there to help the teacher/room mother identify her easily. I wondered what wonders Jenny had seen on her day at the park--had she seen the flat, smooth stones that lay next to the stream, worn down over the years by the gentle flow of water? Had she pondered over the longevity of the trees around her, realizing in that moment that she was both part of something bigger than herself and yet insignificant in the grand scheme of all things?

As I looked at the name tag lying there on the wet ground, I pondered what lessons Jenny might have taken with her on her day at the park. And then it dawned on me. The names carved into trees would eventually become scars--still slightly readable, but soon a part of the bark they were torn out of. The litter (most of it anyway), and Jenny's name tag would all degrade away, leaving no trace of their original owners. Even Jenny and I, and all those who visited the park that day, would one day become food for trees and grasses like the ones at this park. In the end, I pondered, it's not the mark that we leave on the forest, but the mark that the forest leaves on us, that matters most.

--David

"Too Busy"

2007-09-27T09:33:00.000-04:00

Lately, I've heard myself saying "I'm very busy" a lot. Actually, when it all comes down to it--I'm not as busy as some people. I'm certainly not as busy as a single parent who has to take care of a couple of kids while trying to keep two jobs. I'm not as busy as the homeless person who has to walk, sometimes up to twenty miles a day, in order to find food and shelter. I'm not as busy as our legislators in Washington--although, maybe they need to be a little less busy, too!

The point is, I'm busy, but no one should ever be so busy that they can't give time to prayer and meditation. And when I get busy, those are the first things to go out the window. I read somewhere recently about a survey of pastors that revealed that some pastors spend an average of three minutes a day in private prayer and devotions, and some pastors reported that they usually don't pray unless it is in front of a group of people. How sad--but I know how they feel. There are days when I hope for a meeting just so I can have the chance to sit down and pray, and there are days when I get so restless because of all the "work" that has to be done that I can't focus on my meditation time. If it's this way for me, how must it be for that working single parent, or the homeless person, or the man or woman in a position of power and authority.

We are reminded in the Scriptures to "pray without ceasing," (I Thessalonians 5:17), but maybe we need to be reminded that prayer doesn't always have to be about the right words or the right posture of the body or the right anything--except the right state of mind, a receptivity to the presence of God in all times and places.

The other day, I was out walking Mack (our dog), and experienced the kind of praye that goes beyond mere words or postures. It was very early in the morning, and the sun was just coming up. There was a light fog hovering amongst the trees, and the early rays of the sun were just beginning to peek through the branches and leaves. As I looked at this sight, I gasped for a moment at the beauty of it all, and then immediately thought, "I wish I had my camera." But a camera couldn't have caught the moment for me, even if it could have caught the sight. It was, for me, a moment of prayer at the beginning of what would end up being a very "busy" day.

May all your "busy" days begin in such a way, and may God's beauty continually catch you off guard.

On the lookout for prayer moments,

David

The State of the Church

2007-09-06T15:04:00.000-04:00

Some days, I'm just not sure there is a future for those of us who are "the people called Methodists." Reading through the denomination's State of the Church Report, I was depressed to read the following statistic: At one point in the history of the United States, one in four people considered themselves "Methodist." Today, that number is one in 400.

How depressing! And yet, as I have said many times before, how exciting, too! Such statistics, seen as an opportunity and not as a depressing note, present us with the greatest challenge--and the source of most of our ministry work in the next century or so-- that we have ever seen.

Our job is to not just make Methodists, but to make disciples of Jesus Christ. The best way to do that is to begin to be in mission--around the world, yes, but also right here in our own neighborhoods.

For those of you who read this who are from Niles First UMC, I want to emphasize to you what I've already stated in our newsletter: over the next few years, we need to focus on the areas of Fellowship, Stewardship Education, Spiritual Education, Evangelism, and Missions. Each of these areas--which, by the way, are inter-related--holds a part of the key that will unlock the potential that God has in store for us.

Earlier today, I was in a meeting of pastors, and somebody mentioned a particular mega-church that is often visited by local congregations looking to grow. One of my colleagues made the following comment: "Why visit them? All they did was tap into the power of the Holy Spirit." If we are open enough to the working of the Spirit in our lives, we will find the answers for our time and place in the history of the movement of the People called Methodist, and in teh body of Christ.

Preach the Gospel,
Use Words if Necessary,

David

The Potter and the Clay

2007-09-02T07:11:00.000-04:00

For those who were in church today, and heard my sermon about the Potter and the Clay, here is a link to the video, "El Barrero," that I mentioned:

El Barrero

Hope you enjoy it. I was particularly struck by the manner in which the potter cuts the finished product in half, to show the viewer what he has just done. If I had just made a vase like that, I would have wanted to fire it as soon as possible--to let everyone know about my accomplishment. When God works with us, like the potter in the video, he knows that there are second chances in life, if we allow ourselves to stay pliable enough to be re-worked.

Working on being pliable,

David

"Back to School"

2007-08-30T11:55:00.000-04:00

It's back to school time, which used to be a time of great excitement to me as a child--for the first few weeks. Then, when we got into the daily grind of school work, it became less and less exciting. Since we haven't really had anyone in our immediate family who was a "school kid" the last several years, this time of year has not meant much to me. Until now.

Rebecca starts Kindergarten on Tuesday (the fourth of September), and believe me, we can hardly wait! She is currently bouncing around the house involving herself in all sorts of "projects" to keep her busy until the big day arrives. Currently, she is making a "centerpiece" for Kelly's birthday celebration on Friday. Let me tell you, we will all be glad when this pent-up energy is able to find a release in school work!

It is a happy time, though, to see your kids growing up. I thought I might be sadder than this--and I may yet be--but I'm really glad that Rebecca is beginning to make her own way in the world. Soon, she will have all the wonders of reading, writing, and learning at her fingertips, and she will be able to begin to discover on her own the answers to all the questions she has about the world.

Maybe we all need to go "back to school" every now and then. Maybe there's still something for us all to learn--about the world, about ourselves, and about God. Maybe "back to school" is every day that we wake up and take another step on this journey called existence.

Maybe.

Happy Back to School,

David

Back on the Information Superhighway!

2007-08-20T12:14:00.000-04:00

After a long hiatus, I am back on the web! The computer I use in my office crashed at the end of June, and I haven't blogged since then. I finally got the approval to buy a new lap top, and just got it this weekend. I'll be more dilligent now about blogging, since I have the equipment to do it. (And yes, I know I could have blogged from home, but it was so much harder to remember to do that when I had to walk that 100 yards between the office and the parsonage to get on the computer--and when I was borrowing a computer from someone else in the office, I tended to do what absolutely had to be done, and get out of there.)

But, I'm back now, after a nice summer vacation, and an excellent VBS at church this year. Looking forward to the fall, and to our planning day at church this Saturday.

Well, lunch calls. I'll write more later.

Feeling peckish,
David

Long Time, No Blog

2007-06-11T16:43:00.000-04:00

We have been very busy around here. Our church secretary resigned early in May, and I've been working on getting a new one. Plus, I went away for a week to the "Festival of Homiletics" in Nashville. That was fun. Did I blog about seeing Little Richard? If not, I apologize--it was a truly life changing moment!

You'd think that life in the summer would be easier for a pastor--but it's not. In fact, I may be busier now than I was when I first moved to Niles--that seems like so long ago that it feels like I've been here a year already when it's only been three months. I still have meetings, visits, and office work to do, but now I also have to help get ready for Vacation Bible School, have Youth Annual Conference, and Annual Conference to attend. Don't get me wrong, I love all those parts of my job--in fact, the summer activities are some of my favorite of the whole year, but it can get a little hectic.

I am reminded of a wall-hanging I saw in an Amish country store a long time ago that had this old chestnut of wisdom: "The Hurrier I Go, The Behinder I Get." Sometimes, we all need to remember to not get so hurried and to take it all in stride.

Taking it in stride (when I can),

David

Brother, Can You Spare an Autoharp?

2007-05-08T21:12:00.000-04:00

Looking for an autoharp--

Anybody got one?

An autoharp is a stringed musical instrument which uses chord bars (wooden bars lined with felt) to block off certain strings, leaving a certain combination of strings open. When these strings are strummed or picked, they then form a chord--the chord printed on the bar you just pressed!

There are many very skilled autoharp players (the older folks might remember Mrs. Carter's autoharp, and others may recall June Carter Cash's proficiency at the 'harp), but it can also be useful for folks like me, who love the music making but have trouble making chords on traditional stringed instruments.

So, I'm looking for an autoharp. I want to use it for storytelling, accompanying small groups in singing hymns, and personal use. Let me know if you have one, and if you'd be willing to part with it for a reasonable price.

Strumming the strings of my heart,

David

2007-05-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

We had a good vacation last week--so good that I didn't even get a chance to post to the blog! I am back now, and feel pretty refreshed and ready to move forward on a lot of the important work that lies ahead for the church and for me personally.

I am reading a fascinating book right now called Introduction to Internal Family Systems, which applies the principles of Family Systems thinking to internal/personal struggles. The author, Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, created this approach, which helps people to recognize the "parts" that we create within our psyches in order to protect us from hurt or fear. These parts essentially obscure our true "Self," which in theological terms I would describe as the "imago dei" (image of God) that is within all of us.

I will write more as I read more, but for now, I find it engaging and powerful reading.

Peace on Earth,
Goodwill to All,

David

The Labyrinth of Life

2007-04-18T10:20:00.000-04:00

Last night, I traveled to Cleveland again to walk the Labyrinth at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. (Note to United Methodists-- we really gotta get us some cathedrals--but that's a post for another day!)

The labyrinth, for those who don't know, is a little like a maze, but very different from a maze. In a maze, you have to find the right path from one spot to another, while avoiding dead-ends and wrong turns. In the labyrinth, there is only one way in and one way out, and there are no dead-ends or wrong turns. You walk the same path in and out, and the labyrinth always leads to the same place--the center (sometimes called the rose).
The center of the labyrinth represents closeness to God, or the center of our souls, or whatever place you find yourself journeying towards.
The labyrinth at Trinity is based on the one at the Chartres Cathedral in France, and is open on Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m to 9 p.m.

This time, while walking the labyrinth, I had a revelation (I usually do). As I was walking towards the center, there was another man who was walking out from the center. At one point, though we were technically on different trajectories, we ended up walking side by side. This caused me to feel deep within my soul this truth--though we all walk on different paths, and sometimes find ourselves on different stages of our journeys through faith and life, we all walk side by side from time to time. This is what allows me, as a thirty year old kid, to walk beside my brothers and sisters who are much older than I am, and to be a pastor to people who could be my parents or grandparents. This is possible because we all take the same journey through life, and we meet each other along the way as fellow sojourners who can share in times of both joy and sadness.

Speaking of sadness, my heart grieves with the people of Virginia Tech this week. They were one of the subjects of one of my "rose prayers" at the center of the labyrinth. Pray for peace in their hearts and minds, and for a spirit of calm and safety to envelope that campus.

In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, (look it up)

David

He is risen!

2007-04-10T11:12:00.000-04:00

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed!

(End of sermon)

This story was told to me this Sunday by a member of the congregation here in Niles. It was told of a Lutheran pastor, who stood in the pulpit, declared the words above, and then sat down. What a testimony to the power of the story of Jesus' resurrection--mere mention of the event is enough to call it to our minds!

My prayer for anyone who reads this blog (I hope that someone is reading it!) is that you will be able to call his resurrection to mind not just during this Easter season, but at any time when you need the presence of God in your life--the life-giving, loving, saving God of Jesus Christ.

He is risen, indeed,
David

A Wee Discovery in the Wee Worship Book

2007-04-02T09:26:00.000-04:00

This morning, while doing my usual morning prayers, I decided to use the resource "A Wee Worship Book," from the Iona Community of Scotland. I have been cycling through their morning liturgies, and this morning, I happened upon Morning Liturgy D (This will only be helpful or interesting to you if you happen to own the book. If you don't--go get it!)

Anyway, this morning's prayers included a line that struck me as I read it:
"Let us pray for those who may be born today and bless them in Jesus' name." It struck me partly because of the novelty of the thing, but also because of the concept. Obviously, I don't know anyone who might be born today, but that shouldn't stop me from pausing to think about those who do, and giving thanks before God for them. What a way to embody the Body of Christ, which includes even the smallest and most helpless among us!

The prayer also calls for us to remember those who may face death today. Again, I can't say I know anyone who fits that category (although we might all be said to be facing death all the days of our lives), but it's been uplifting to my spirit to lift up those who might be in that situation, and to remember them before the throne of God's grace.

I was also blessed by the closing words of the liturgy:

Leader: The peace of God,
The peace of God's people,
The peace of Mary mild, the loving one,
and Christ, King of human hearts,
God's own peace. . .

All: Be upon each thing our eyes take in,
Be upon each thing our ears take in,
Be upon our bodies which come from the earth,
Be upon our souls which come from heaven,
Evermore and evermore, Amen. (a)

What earthy spirituality are the prayers of the Celtic peoples! Thanks be to God for their gifts to us.

Evermore and Evermore,

David

(a) A Wee Worship Book by the Wild Goose Worship Group; Glasgow:Wild Goose Publications; 1999. The introduction to this liturgy states that the prayers in the liturgy came originally from Alexander Carmichael's book Carmina Gadelica (Songs of the Gaels), which was published at the end of the 19th century.

"And Then There Were Six"

2007-03-24T19:53:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was a big day for the MacDonald clan! We took a trip to our local shelter (The Trumbull County Animal Welfare League), and found a wonderful new family member!

His name is Mack (appropriate for a MacDonald dog!), and he is a rottweiler/sheperd mix. For those who knew them, he looks like a mix between my old dog Duchess and my old dog Mel.

Mack is gentle, and loves the children very much. When Rebecca came downstairs this morning, his tail was wagging at about 90 miles an hour!

As soon as we have pictures, I'll post them here.

Carpe Canum (Sieze the Dog),
David

"It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

2007-03-12T19:46:00.000-04:00

No, I don't mean Christmas (although that is a wonderful time), and I don't even mean the holy season of Lent, which we find ourselves in the midst of right now. In fact, what I'm referring to is that magical time of the year--one month only-- when Shamrock Shakes are on sale at McDonald's! Normally, thanks to a recent change in our lifestyle away from fatty foods, Kelly and I avoid Mickey D's like crazy, but there's just something about the siren song of the Shamrock Shake that pulls me in--the rich, creamy texture; the way it cools your tongue as it slithers down your throat; the minty freshness of it's flavor--they all entice and intrigue me so, and have done since I was but a wee lad.

Of course, it all comes about because this is also the time of year when we celebrate the great Saint Patrick, the patron of our Irish (Scots-Irish, really) ancestors. He took the faith of Jesus Christ to the people of Ireland, and routed out all the snakes, to boot. His example, of picking up, leaving a life of luxury, and heading for a place where he was once held captive in order to spread the gospel is an inspiration to every pastor or priest who's ever had to pack up and move to a new locale (as we have done recently).

So, drive to your nearest purveyor of the grease, order a 2 for $3.00 fish sandwich deal, and wash it down with a nice cold one--a Shammy Shake, that is! Happy St. Patrick's Day--may the luck of the Irish be with you!

May you have love that never ends,
lots of money, and lots of friends.
Health be yours, whatever you do,
and may God send many blessings to you!
--Irish Blessing

Dia dhuit,
God Be With You,

David

New Home

2007-03-09T19:47:00.000-05:00

It's beena looooooong time since I last posted. Actually, it's been a long time since I first posted! In the intervening many months since the last post, I have been re-appointed to a new church--First United Methodist Church of Niles, Ohio. We just moved last week, and are finally beginning to find our way around--the house. The congregation here is very nice, and we're enjoying life in the big city of Niles.

Life comes with a lot of changes--we grow old, families grow and change, we change jobs, and health and financial circumstances are constantly in flux. But the one thing that doesn't change--in this life or the next--is the constant love of God, and God's Son, Jesus Christ.

I'm hoping to keep this blog updated more regularly now that I have a faster internet connection. Pray for that.

Yours in Christ,
David

September 24, 2006-- "New Home"

2006-09-24T17:37:00.000-04:00

This is the first post on my new blogging home! Don't ask me why, but I couldn't get things to work well over at the other place (name witheld out of respect for the other company).

This blog will [hopefully] be updated at least once a week with new thoughts, ideas, fun web sites I've visited, and random jottings on life as a United Methodist pastor, father, husband, scout--you name it.

Oh, by the way-- I turned 30 yesterday! Kelly planned a great surprise party for me--I was totally taken by surprise, except that I knew something strange was happening. . .she had been a little jumpy all day, and quite secretive for the last month!

That's all for now, check back often (I'll try to keep it updated!)

Peace in our time,
David